If you have a snoring problem, it should not be ignored
because, besides being a common bedtime nuisance, it may also be an indicator for some health risks. Actually, recent studies show that snoring can
be a cause of abnormalities in the carotid artery, putting people at a greater
risk than those who smoke or are overweight and have high cholesterol. This is
actually worrying because the thickening of the carotid artery, which is one of
the two large blood vessels responsible with oxygenating the brain, is a
precursor of atherosclerosis, responsible for cardio-vascular diseases.
Many specialists already advise that snoring patients should
take treatment in the same way they would if they had other risk factors for
cardio-vascular disease, such as high blood pressure. Even isolated snoring
should be investigated because, unless it is caused by some temporary condition
(an allergy or a cold, for example), it may not be as harmless as it used to be
considered.
Another issue related to snoring is obstructive sleep apnea,
which is a respiratory condition that occurs due to the collapse of the airway
in the throat during sleep. It generates snoring and breathing pauses, being
often linked to cardio-vascular issues.
·
Cardiac arrhythmia (atrial fibrillation)
This is translated into fluctuations in the
heart's natural rhythm. Arrhythmias are quite common and nonthreatening
usually; however, they can cause concern in association with sleep apnea.
·
High blood pressure
·
Breathing interruptions
These occur many times per night and may
last for more than 10 seconds, resulting in poorly oxygenated blood reaching
the brain, as well as causing constricted blood vessels in the lungs and
pulmonary hypertension.
·
Sleep problems
People suffering from obstructive sleep
apnea wake from sleep much more frequently, disrupting the natural sleeping
cycles. Some may end up sleeping lightly, trying to keep their throat muscles
toned in order to maintain airflow and prevent sleep apnea. All these typically
result in fatigue, excessive daytime sleepiness, poor personal performance,
lack of concentration and awareness.
·
Chronic
headaches
Low levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in
the bloodstream, as well as the poor sleep caused by snoring, frequently cause
morning headaches.
·
Gastro-esophageal reflux disease
This sounds rather uncommon, but it really happens
in snoring patients, due to the way the throat closes as air moves in and out
of the lungs, causing changes in pressure that result in the stomach acids
going into the esophagus during sleep.
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Considering that some of the causes of snoring are alcohol
consumption, smoking, medication, being overweight or having nasal problems
(anatomical or resulting from infections),we can also talk about all the
potential health issues resulted from these risk factors .
Statistics show that more than 20% of the population has
snoring problems and 60% of men aged 40+are snoringregularly. In some cases,
the snore is indeed only an annoyance, mostly for the sleep partner, but in
other situations, it may be an indicator of present or future health problems.