Hello, it’s your health buddy! Let’s feel better together. Today, I’m here to share some symptom insights and helpful tips about Snoring. Let’s dive in!
Snoring doesn’t just disturb your family—it can seriously affect your health.
Many people still think of snoring as a harmless habit, but experts warn that if left untreated, it can lead to severe complications.
Why Does Snoring Happen?
When we sleep, our muscles relax, causing the airway (breathing passage) to narrow or partially block in some people.
As air passes through this restricted space, it creates vibrations in the soft tissues of the airway—this is the sound of snoring.
Snoring can cause poor-quality sleep, leading to persistent fatigue, frequent waking, and excessive tossing and turning. Over time, it can also result in memory issues, reduced concentration, and even personality changes.
Additionally, snorers often breathe through their mouths, causing severe dry mouth, throat discomfort, and persistent cough.
Snoring is uncommon in children and young adults unless caused by structural issues like enlarged tonsils. However, as people age, the muscles involved in breathing lose elasticity, making snoring more likely.
Obesity is a major risk factor, with overweight individuals being up to three times more likely to snore.
When Snoring Leads to Sleep Apnea
If snoring is accompanied by repeated pauses in breathing while sleeping, it may indicate sleep apnea.
People with sleep apnea often experience excessive daytime sleepiness, chronic fatigue, poor concentration, and headaches.
The most common type, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), occurs when the airway becomes severely blocked, stopping breathing temporarily.
Chronic oxygen deprivation from untreated sleep apnea puts immense stress on the heart and lungs, increasing the risk of:
- High blood pressure
- Atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries)
- Heart failure
- Arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat)
- Heart attacks
- Aortic aneurysms
- Strokes
- Lung diseases
Recent studies suggest a link between sleep apnea and dementia.
Additionally, sleep apnea can reduce testosterone levels, impair nervous system function, and contribute to erectile dysfunction. It also raises pressure in the chest and throat, increasing the risk of acid reflux, GERD, and throat inflammation.
Improving Sleep Apnea: Sleep Position, Lifestyle Changes, and Sleep Aids
To manage snoring and sleep apnea, the first step is to adjust sleep position and improve lifestyle habits.
Try the following:
- Sleep on your side instead of your back.
- Avoid alcohol at least two hours before bed.
- Exercise regularly to maintain a healthy weight.
- Strengthen neck and throat muscles to help keep airways open.
If lifestyle changes aren’t enough, positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy or surgery may be necessary.
A CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machine is a common treatment, delivering a steady stream of air through a mask to keep the airway open.
People diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea through a polysomnography (sleep study) may qualify for health insurance coverage for CPAP therapy.
A sleep study is conducted in a medical setting, where sensors monitor brain waves, muscle activity, heart rate, oxygen levels, and breathing patterns to assess the severity of snoring and apnea.
Experts stress that if you have underlying nasal conditions such as chronic rhinitis or sinusitis, treating them can significantly improve sleep apnea.
Your health buddy is here for you. Wishing you a healthy and happy day ahead. Stay well!💖
This content is for informational purposes only and does not hold any individual or entity legally responsible. For accurate diagnosis and treatment of symptoms, please visit a nearby medical institution. This does not represent my final medical opinion and may vary depending on specific circumstances and evolving medical perspectives.
