Can a Neck Injury Cause Snoring? How to Sleep with Whiplash

What Causes Snoring?

Snoring happens when the throat muscles relax and the passing air makes the tissues vibrate. This creates a harsh or hoarse sound. Causes of snoring can include:

• Blocked nasal passages
• Decreased muscle tone in the throat and tongue
• Being overweight and having bulky throat tissue
• Having a long soft palate or uvula
• Alcohol and drug use
• Your sleeping position
• Lack of sleep

A study published in Topics in Integrative Health Care: An International Journal looked at whiplash-associated disorders (WAD). They found that more patients with WAD snored compared to the control group.

Whiplash Associated with Work-Related Injuries

When the head and neck are forcefully pushed backward and then forward, whiplash can occur. This motion places extreme stress on the cervical spine.

This often happens with rear-ending car accidents. Yet, it can occur with any trauma that causes this sudden movement. Some cases of whiplash result from work-related injuries.

Common symptoms of whiplash include:

• Neck pain which can be mild to pins-and-needles to extreme
• Neck stiffness
• Dizziness
• Ringing in your ears
• Decreased ability to move neck around in a normal fashion
• A feeling of instability in the neck
• Shoulder and back pain
• Headache
• Tingling, weakness, or numbness in the shoulders or down the arms

Individual whiplash symptoms vary from one person to the next. Some people experience mild symptoms while others have complicated, long-lasting problems.

If you have experienced a whiplash-type injury and notice symptoms, see a doctor. If the injury happened at work, tell your supervisor immediately. Your company may refer you to a workers’ comp doctor.

The doctor will complete an assessment. They may also order tests before prescribing a treatment plan.

How to Sleep with Whiplash

Sleep is very important to the body’s healing process. Sleep deprivation can slow healing. Whiplash can make it hard to sleep.

The following are some tips to help you sleep when recovering from whiplash:

• Applying hot and/or cold compresses during the day for 20 minutes at a time can ease tension and pain
• Special neck pillows keep the neck in the right position to increase relaxation
• Foam rollers can decrease stiffness when rolled on the neck before bedtime and during the day

If you are using a neck pillow, make sure it’s under your neck and not your head. You can also try placing a rolled-up towel under your neck. Don’t use your regular pillow with the neck pillow or rolled towel.

Have You Suffered a Work-Related Injury?

If you experience a work-related injury, it’s important to get the treatment you need. This article focused on how to sleep with whiplash. You can find more articles about work-related injuries on our blog.

We offer free resources to assist you in finding help after an injury. Our company maintains a list of Workers’ Compensation Board authorized doctors in your area. If you need assistance in making an appointment, we will help you with this process.

Call (888) 590-4030 today to make an appointment with the best workers’ comp doctors near you and get the treatment you need.