Does snoring indicate a health problem?

Occasional snoring isn't usually a serious problem. It's mostly a nuisance for your bed partner. But if you snore for a long time, you not only alter the sleep patterns of those close to you, but you also impair your own quality of sleep.

snoring

can itself be a symptom of a health problem such as obstructive sleep apnea.

This is one of the most serious dangers of lack of sleep caused by snoring or sleep apnea. Daytime sleepiness can be so severe that it puts you and the people around you at risk, says Doghramji. If snoring or sleep apnea leaves you exhausted, you risk falling asleep, perhaps while driving. An analysis of health information and driving data from 618 adults age 10 and older showed that the more people slept during the day, the higher their risk of a car accident.

The risk was also higher if people were driving alone. Do you often wake up with a headache? It's not just about your spouse complaining about your snoring. According to a recently published study of 268 people who snored regularly, researchers found a connection between frequent morning headaches and sleep disorders, including insomnia and sleep apnea. Not surprisingly, snorers with frequent headaches report a lower quality of life than those whose head doesn't hurt.

Getting up to go to the bathroom two or more times a night is a condition called nocturia. For some people, this includes loss of bladder control. It is also related to snoring in both men and women. Research suggests that men older than 55 who wake up frequently to urinate may have benign prostate enlargement and obstructive sleep apnea.

Another study showed a strong relationship between the two conditions. Protect yourself by seeking help with snoring, especially if you experience daytime sleepiness, if your spouse says your breathing stops while you sleep (both signs of sleep apnea), or if you have other health problems, such as high blood pressure. An analysis of health data from a sleep study found that the intensity of snoring was related to the risk of carotid atherosclerosis, narrowing of the arteries in the neck due to fatty deposits called plaque and, as a result, stroke. How loud a person snores cannot determine if they have sleep apnea; pauses in regular breathing or panting to breathe may be a better indicator.

There are chemicals in the brain whose function is to trigger breathing, and these may fail in some people who snore. Not getting enough sleep for a period of time is linked to health problems, such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. A recent study of 74 people who snore showed that the more daytime sleepiness people report, the greater their chances of also having mild symptoms of depression or anxiety. These are signs of sleep apnea, a disorder that leads to serious health problems if left untreated.

As more people age, develop hypertension, diabetes, or metabolic syndrome (prediabetes), the number of people with obstructive sleep apnea increases, which is of great concern to health professionals. The study found that those who used a CPAP had healthier blood pressure levels, especially during the night. Whatever you call it, snoring can be a nuisance for anyone within earshot of a snorer trying to sleep. People with this condition generally understand that it is harmful to their heart health, so it's easier today to encourage patients to see a sleep specialist than before.

Sleep needs vary from person to person, but most healthy adults should sleep between 7 and 9 hours a night. If a doctor confirms that you don't have sleep apnea but you're a strong snorer, nasal breathing strips can help. .