Category: Snoring

Childhood Obesity Can Cause Sleep Apnea

Pediatric ENT Sleep Apnea Snoring June 7, 2017 By Donald M. Sesso, D.O.

Childhood obesity can create many health problems for children. Some health problems include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, Type II Diabetes, hip problems, depression and livers that are fatty and fail to function properly. Children can also suffer from depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem.

Another health problem is the development of ear, nose and throat problems. Obesity can cause a child to develop sleep apnea and there may be a relationship to middle ear infections, as well.

It’s important to recognize the impact that overweight and obesity is having on the health of children because, despite programs that encourage exercise and healthy foods, the rate of childhood obesity in the United States has doubled over the last twenty years. More than 15 percent1 of children between the ages of 6 and 11 and more than 15 percent1 of those between the ages of 12 to 19 are overweight or obese.

Do Something About Your Snoring Before Someone Else Does

Snoring February 16, 2017 By Donald M. Sesso, D.O.

Husband snoring while frustrated wife tries to sleep Snoring can cause sleepy days, morning headaches, and irritability. It can make it difficult for you to concentrate and can disrupt your sleep, and that of the people who sleep next to you. The National Sleep Foundation estimates that 90 million American adults snore, 37 million of them on a regular basis. About 40% of adult men and 24% of adult women are habitual snorers. Believe it or not, snoring appears to run in families, and it becomes more common as you get older.

If you sleep with someone who snores, you know all too well what it is and what it sounds like. But what causes snoring, can it be treated, and do any of those “anti-snoring devices” on the market actually work?

Blame a “floppy” throat:
When you sleep, everything relaxes including the muscles of your throat and your tongue. Your throat becomes narrow and “floppy” and, as you breathe, the walls of your throat vibrate, causing that harrowing snoring sound. The narrower the airway becomes, the greater the vibration and the louder the snoring.

Sleeping on your back may make you more likely to snore. If your throat muscles are hyper-relaxed from the use of alcohol or other depressants, snoring will worsen. Congestion from a cold or allergies can also cause snoring.

The Husband That Fell Asleep In The Exam Room

Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) General Sleep Apnea Snoring AFib • Aging • Atrial Fibrillation • Daytime Fatigue • sleep apnea • Snoring June 27, 2016 By Donald M. Sesso, D.O.

Older Man with Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) and Sleep Apnea During a recent office-based sinus surgery, the husband of my patient fell asleep in the exam room. She told me that he often falls asleep when he sits down. He was a bit embarrassed when we woke him but we assured him that he need not worry. I asked him if he is frequently tired during the day, to which he responded “Doc, I’m 70 years old. Of course I get tired!” His wife interrupted to add that they haven’t slept in the same bed for years due to his snoring. The interesting thing is that he is a hearing loss patient of BergerHenry ENT but never mentioned his daytime fatigue or snoring. We discussed a sleep study but he decided against it.

Child Snoring May Be A Sign of Sleep Apnea

Sleep Apnea Snoring May 8, 2016 By Donald M. Sesso, D.O.

We mostly pay attention to adults who snore and have sleep apnea but little is written about children who snore or have sleep apnea. Last week, Philly.com posted an article titled Should I be concerned if my child snores? We thought the article made some good points and that it would benefit our readers. We add our own thoughts at the end.

Your Diet Can Negatively Impact Your Quality of Sleep

Sleep Apnea Snoring Excessive Daytime Sleepiness • How To Improve Sleep Quality Naturally • OSA • Sleep Quality January 23, 2016 By Donald M. Sesso, D.O.

Patients will often ask “what can I do to improve my sleep quality naturally?” Weight loss is often the answer given by sleep specialists. It is well established that certain behaviors are associated with poorer quality sleep:

Weight gain
Excessive alcohol use
Smoking
Poor sleep hygiene and sleep deprivation

Is Snoring Keeping You Awake?

Snoring February 18, 2014 By Donald M. Sesso, D.O.

By Donald M. Sesso, D.O.

Donald Sesso Otolaryngologist Philadelphia

Sleeping with a snorer can take a toll on your health. While the health risks of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and snoring are widely discussed, less is understood regarding the consequences of sleeping with a snorer. According to the National Sleep Foundation, snoring affects 90 million adults, 37 million of them on a regular basis. Men are twice as likely as women to snore; however, that gap closes after menopause. Untreated OSA and snoring may pose serious health problems and can negatively impact one’s quality of life. OSA has been linked to high blood pressure, heart disease, dementia, depression, anxiety and death. Sleep-deprived people are subject to a higher risk of accidents, poor concentration, impaired work performance and strained interpersonal relationships. More recent research has shown that the bed-partners of snorers may have health risks as well. Thus, the number of patients and their bed-partners affected by snoring is staggering and poses a serious public health risk.

Snoring: What to Do About It

Snoring August 18, 2012 By Donald M. Sesso, D.O.

By Todd C. Morehouse, D.O.

Tossing. Turning. Pillow over your head. Wishing you could get back to sleep, but that noise has been keeping you awake for hours. At some point in our lives, we have all experienced the effects of “second hand” snoring. Perhaps your spouse snores, or a travel mate on a trip made you tired for the big meeting the next day.

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