Most pregnant women suffer from shortness of breath during sleep, as statistics show that a quarter of pregnant women experience frequent snoring during pregnancy. Also, 25% of women face this problem in the last weeks of pregnancy. Snoring during pregnancy is considered to be a source of discomfort for the whole body, and to conclude, it is necessary to first understand the causes and then look for appropriate treatment methods. We will discuss in this article a Dalili Medical reason, all of us need knowledge, therefore, it is a function of meaning.

**Types of Al-Shukher**

 

Snoring can be classified into several types, namely:

- Snoring: It is the result of breathing through the mouth abnormally, which leads to blockage of the nasal passages through which the air passes.

Nasal wheezing: caused by obstruction of the nasal passages responsible for breathing.

- Snoring caused by certain diseases: Snoring can be the result of certain health problems or certain habits, such as:

- Al-Samna

- Increased neck volume.

- Narrowing of the respiratory tract.

- High blood pressure.

- Increase in the volume of the tonsils.

- Diabetes.

- Nasal sensitivity.

- Smoking

- Drinking alcohol.

- Advancement in life.

When does snoring usually appear during pregnancy?

 

In general, the appearance of the cough is not limited to a certain period during the nine months of pregnancy. If the weight increases significantly as the end of the second trimester of pregnancy approaches, and it continues to increase until the woman enters the third trimester. There are common beliefs that snoring during pregnancy is a natural phenomenon resulting from the physiological changes that accompany the development of the fetus, where it appears in the form of narrowing of the nasal and upper airways, in addition to nasal congestion and swelling of internal tissues. And these symptoms are more obvious in the last stages of my pregnancy. Studies show that about 50% of pregnant women suffer from snoring continuously, however, experts are still trying to understand the possible effects of snoring on the fetus.

** Ways to overcome the snoring during pregnancy **:

 

Sleeping on the side: there is no need to worry, the problem of height is the same in adjusting some unhealthy sleeping habits. The possibility of snoring increases when you lie on your back, especially in the last months of pregnancy. According to experts' recommendations, sleeping on the left side is considered the safest and best sleeping position, as it helps improve blood flow and reduces pressure on the body's organs. In some cases, the height of the pregnant woman feels comfortable when sleeping on the left side, and in this case, she can choose to sleep on the right side, the important thing is to feel comfortable while lying down to achieve better sleep.

**Fixing the upper part of the body:** This can be done using a support pillow or without it. Some people prefer to raise the head of the bed a little or use a soft pillow to place under the head and the upper part of the body, which helps to expand the airways during pregnant sleep.

** Nasal rinsing with saline solution before sleeping:** It is recommended to use saline solution to rinse the nose before going to bed, as it is easily available in pharmacies. This helps in clearing the airways, which facilitates the normal breathing process of pregnant mothers during sleep, and reduces the problems of apnea.

**Protection of reasonable weight:** It is important for pregnant women to gain weight during pregnancy, but it must be within the permissible limits. Gaining healthy weight during pregnancy helps to reduce the risk of breathing problems during sleep.

**Adherence to the rules of hygiene during sleep:** Getting enough sleep helps to avoid overexertion, which is a major cause of snoring and obstructive breathing during sleep. Try to apply different strategies to improve sleep quality such as:

Hiring pillows for pregnant women: Pregnant mothers who suffer from snoring can use pillows to support the back, abdomen, and legs. This will help them to get a comfortable sleeping position, which reduces snoring or sleep disorders. In addition, experts advise to avoid drinking alcoholic beverages or using some types of sleeping pills that cause drowsiness before going to sleep, as most of them may worsen the problem of snoring. Harmful smoking habits or exposure to secondhand smoke also increase the risk of snoring and sleep apnea, especially in pregnant women.

**Employment of external nasal dilators or nasal dilators**

 

To treat snoring in a simple way, it is possible to use adhesive nasal strips that help in expanding the nasal passages, which makes breathing easier and reduces snoring. It is also possible to try a nasal dilator, which is a reinforced adhesive tape that is placed on the nose through the nostrils.

 

**Employment of oral appliances** Dental mouthpieces can be employed to actively treat snoring while keeping the airways open, which facilitates breathing.

**Employment of continuous positive airway pressure device**Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device is considered to be the solution for the treatment of snoring. If this treatment is medically appropriate, wearing a compressed air mask over the nose while sleeping can help keep the airway open, which helps reduce snoring within ten minutes. We usually recommend this remedy to treat obstructive sleep apnea.

**Exercises for the throat** The effectiveness of exercises for the throat, also known as functional muscle therapy, is one of the effective ways to treat snoring in a short period of time. Research has shown that doing swallowing exercises frequently while awake can help prevent my tissues from becoming overly elastic, which reduces tremors during sleep.

It is recommended to practice breathing exercises for ten minutes at least daily to see improvement in snoring or sleep apnea. Most people practice these exercises two to three times a day, and several studies show that the benefits are noticeable after three months of practicing the exercises.

**Inhalation of Al-Bukhar** One of the most important ways to treat Al-Kheer is Inhalation of Al-Exposing the face to the steam of the water in a bowl immediately before going to bed to open the air duct. And this method is especially effective when the nose is blocked due to cold or allergies.

 

This method can be carried out by filling the pot with hot water and placing it upside down, being careful to get close enough to inhale the vapor without risking burns. It is preferable to cover the head with a towel to maintain humidity. Alternatively, you can take a warm bath as an alternative to inhaling steam to treat snoring easily.

Opening the nasal passages can be useful in treating snoring within ten minutes, especially if the snoring is caused by nasal obstruction, as it allows the air to flow more slowly. So when the nose is blocked or narrow, it may lead to snoring due to the speed of air movement.

Rinsing the nose with salty water can help in opening the nasal passages.

**Oils for treating snoring** Use my group of essential oils for treating snoring and improving sleep quality, and the most important ones are:

**Peppermint oil** Peppermint oil is considered a natural decongestant, due to its menthol content, which helps to clean the sinuses and facilitate breathing. Kama helps relieve headaches and muscle pains thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties. If the wheezing is caused by nasal obstruction, then inhaling peppermint oil may be beneficial. According to the properties of peppermint, it is preferable to mix it with soothing oil such as lavender oil to ensure soothing sleep.

**Eucalyptus oil** The action of the compounds in eucalyptus oil is a decongestant, as it helps to open the airways, which helps to improve breathing.

**Lemon oil** Lemon is considered to be a famous citrus fruit with refreshing and sour notes. Essential lemon oil is extracted from lemon peels, and contains chemical compounds with anti-inflammatory effects, which have been proven to provide many health benefits. Inhalation of lemon oil can help relieve nasal congestion by reducing the density of mucus, and it also contributes to relaxing the muscles in the throat, which helps to treat the problem of snoring. When using lemon oil to treat snoring, it is preferable to mix it with soothing oils such as lavender oil. Al-Mahita Also, lemon oil mixes well with peppermint oil and eucalyptus oil, resulting in an active mixture for treating snoring.

**Clove oil** Clove oil has many medicinal uses, one of which is its ability to break up phlegm that collects in the back of the throat when lying down to sleep.

Fennel oil contains anti-inflammatory properties, which makes it useful in reducing inflammation in the nose and throat, and improving air flow through the nasal passages, thus contributing to the treatment of snoring.

Myrrh oil has been used for a long time because of its medical benefits, and it is often used to treat respiratory problems such as asthma, as it contributes to reducing mucus and congestion. It also improves blood circulation and is effective against respiratory infections, including colds.

**Lavender oil** Lavender oil is considered the most commonly used oil to treat insomnia, as it helps to relax and promotes the release of the sleep hormone melatonin. It is also used to treat anxiety, depression, stomach disorders and fungal infections. In addition, height contributes to reducing congestion, which helps to reduce snoring and creates a sense of calmness, which improves the quality of sleep.

**Al-Bardqosh oil** Al-Bardqosh oil is considered one of the essential oils that help in opening the airways and improving breathing. It helps to relieve respiratory congestion and bronchitis, and it contains mucus-repellent properties that help in breaking up the mucus that obstructs breathing during the night. Therefore, it is considered an excellent essential oil to combat snoring, in addition to being a warm and soothing herb, it is used to reduce anxiety and tension.

**Elmer Oil** The extract of essential elm oil is extracted from the extract of the elm tree (English: Commiphora Myrrha). Elmer oil is known to have a positive effect on the mood, as many people have reported feeling relaxed when using it. This is due to the anti-inflammatory and expectorant properties of the chemical components. This oil is considered to be an effective way to reduce snoring naturally.

**How ​​to use essential oils to treat snoring**

 

The therapeutic use of essential oils is known as aromatherapy, and there are several ways to apply this therapy:

**Inhalation:** In this method, you can use a mixture of essential oils in your air freshener, or you can mix the oils with water and put them in a spray. It is preferable to do this half an hour before going to sleep to ensure the diffusion of the aroma in the room, which creates a comfortable atmosphere that helps to reduce snoring and open the airway during sleep.

You can also try putting a few drops of oil in a bowl of hot water and inhaling the steam. To do this, put a few drops of olive oil in a bowl containing warm water, then cover your head with a clean and dry towel, and place your face at a safe distance above the water. Breathe deeply and inhale the vapor saturated with oil for about seven minutes.

**Local application:** This method includes mixing the essential oil with vegetable oil at the end, then massaging the skin. During topical use, you can inhale the chemical compounds in the oil as well as absorb through the skin. It can be used locally as follows:Add a few drops of essential oil before going to bed.

Add a few drops of essential oil on the inside of one foot before going to bed, where there are certain points on the bottom of the feet, especially on the big toes, which can help relax the muscles of the neck and throat.

You can also put some oil on your chest, around the rear of your opponent, and under and around your nose.

### Some precautions when using topical oils to treat snoring

 

Before using essential oils topically in aromatherapy, the following should be considered:

Essential oils should always be diluted before topical use, using 4 to 6 drops of essential oil per ounce of dilution oil. Essential oils are strong, and if applied directly to the skin, they can cause irritation. Common oils for relief: coconut oil, olive oil, jojoba oil, and almond oil. Make sure that the oil you choose is natural and unscented.

Before using the essential oil for aromatherapy, you must do an initial test. Put a small amount of oil on the underside of my wrist, then cover it with a bandage and leave it for 24 hours. When removing the bandage, if you notice any irritation on the skin, wash the affected area and stop using the oil.

**Important tips before using essential oils to treat snoring**

 

Please consider the following points before using any oils to treat snoring:

1. If you suffer from continuous sleep or snoring problems, it is best to consult a specialist. We can help you determine if essential oils or other options are suitable for your condition.

. Make sure that the essential oils you use come from reliable sources. Always read the labels and follow the attached instructions before use.

. Keep essential oils away from your eyes, and never take them by mouth, as they can be toxic.

. If you are taking medication or suffer from previous health conditions, it is recommended to talk to your doctor before using any oils to treat snoring.

. If you suffer from sleep apnea, you must make an appointment with a doctor. This condition is dangerous and increases the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes.

. Many of my essential oils have not been adequately tested on pregnant women, so if you are pregnant, it is better not to try these oils without consulting your doctor.

When should you consult a doctor?

 

If your snoring is more than usual, so that it is loud or repeated more than three times a week, it may be an indication of a health problem.

Therefore, it is necessary to consult your doctor immediately, as this may indicate the cessation of breathing during sleep due to the blockage of the respiratory passages for a short period of time.

This can lead to inflammation of the blood vessels that feed the placenta, which causes defects in the flow of blood and nutrients to the fetus.

Therefore, do not hesitate to consult your doctor, because the lack of blood flow to the fetus is one of the reasons that may lead to late pregnancy.

**Instruments for snoring during pregnancy**

 

. **Increased weight**: With the progress of pregnancy and the growth of the fetus in the womb, the body weight increases, which is one of the factors contributing to the occurrence of snoring. This snoring may be the result of inflammation and swelling of the airways, where this swelling leads to the reduction of the internal space in the throat, which limits the flow of air. Therefore, there is an increased possibility of vibration of the tissues surrounding the throat or weakness during sleep.

. **Hormonal changes**: Pregnant women suffer from many changes and symptoms as a result of the effects of hormones, especially estrogen and progesterone. Fluctuations in the levels of these hormones during pregnancy, which leads to an increase in fluid accumulation in the sinuses, thus reducing the space available for breathing. It may develop into nasal congestion or blockage due to the swelling of blood vessels, which causes difficulty in breathing. All these factors negatively affect the health of the nose, which leads to snoring.

**Blood flow**: With the increase in blood volume, the respiratory tract is transferred to the mouth due to the blockage of the air passages in the nose, and this is related to the occurrence of congestion and inflammation. In this case, it is normal to face difficulties in breathing through the nose, due to some natural changes that support the growth and development of the fetus during pregnancy. These changes lead to an increase in blood levels in the bodies of pregnant women up to 45%. It is possible that this increase in blood volume and expansion of blood capillaries will lead to swelling of the mucous membranes in the nose. And this situation worsens when the pregnant woman is ready to sleep.

**Passive smoking habits**: It is still not possible to explain the relationship between smoking habit, which is considered as a harmful habit, and the occurrence of snoring. However, health experts suspect that this association may be due to the negative effects of excessive smoking, which can cause an inflammatory condition, accompanied by an increase in fluid in the upper respiratory system, which leads to nasal congestion in women.

Insomnia: Not getting enough sleep may be the result of your suffering from insomnia, where you find yourself in bed staring at the ceiling of the room. With the lack of sleep that the body needs, greater relaxation occurs in the pharyngeal muscles during sleep, which leads to narrowing of the airway and increased snoring.

Physiological characteristics: these characteristics appear in some women without others, and it is considered as one of the factors that make some of them more susceptible to snoring, as a result of the natural shape and size of the tongue, jaw, or tonsils.

Does snoring cause harm or complications affecting health?

 

Snoring can lead to respiratory arrest, which causes many health problems. For example:

- Apnea during sleep, which leads to partial or total blockage of the airway.

- Physical exhaustion caused by frequent awakenings during sleep, in addition to chronic headaches and daytime sleepiness due to not getting enough rest at night.

Muscle weakness and tension due to snoring.

- Low oxygen level in the blood, which leads to narrowing of blood vessels and high blood pressure.

The harms of snoring are more than disturbing, as people who suffer from respiratory obstruction due to snoring have a 40% greater chance of early death compared to healthy people, due to sleep disorders that are associated with many diseases such as heart disease and depression.

**Stroke:** The higher the sound level, the longer the duration of snoring throughout the night. Analytical study of sleep patterns showed that snoring and loudness are associated with increased risk of atherosclerosis, which increases the risk of stroke compared to increased sound level.

**Irregular heartbeat:** Snoring and stopping breathing during sleep are considered to be the most prominent causes that lead to irregular heartbeat, as the sleeper is exposed to the risk of having atrial fibrillation, which is the most common type of irregular heartbeat, as explained by D. Dograhamji Breathlessness can negatively affect the cardiovascular system.

**Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GRED):** This disease is considered common among people who suffer from sleep apnea, as a result of disturbances in the throat during breathing. Esophageal reflux is associated with respiratory arrest, both of which can improve after weight loss.

**Complications of snoring on the fetus:** Intermittent sleep caused by snoring can lead to negative effects on the fetus, which makes it weak. Therefore, it is recommended that all pregnant women who suffer from snoring should visit the doctor and consult him about this issue.

- Addition of the larynx and