5 Ways Snoring May Be Affecting You And You Don’t Know It

Snoring can be exasperating for both you and your spouse. But, before you take this lightly and leave it aside as just another cause of embarrassment, know that snoring is the reason of a lot of health related issues. We often do not give snoring the due credit it deserves when it comes to creating health complications for us indirectly. Often snoring devices like nasal sprays comes to our rescue if it is just snoring, but significant complications might occur if we are experiencing sleep apnea. Let us take at some of the health conditions that are connected to snoring, which you were previously unaware of.

Nocturia

Studies have shown that there is a strong connection between snoring and the habit of going to the bathroom in the middle of the night, multiple times. Men and women over 55 who do this regularly might not only be snoring but also suffering from sleep apnea. Most people believe that urinating multiple times during the night is because of the expanding but non-harmful prostate but know that more often than not it is related to snoring.

Unwanted Fat

Usually, people who snore do not realize that this major hindrance to their sleep is occurring to their excessive weight. It does not matter if you are a light or deep snorer; if you feel that you have gained weight in the past few months, it might be directly proportional to your snoring. Because of the added weight around your neck, it becomes difficult for you to breathe, and then you start snoring. Get rid of that unwanted fat as soon as possible.

Mental/Emotional Health

If you are a snorer or worse suffering from sleep apnea, it means that throughout the daytime, you will either remain tired or be in an irritable mood or if you are unlucky, then both. People who are unable to sleep properly at night often complain about anxiety and depression. Therefore, the next time you feel low or irritated without any proper reason, you know what is causing it.

Accidents and Injuries

Lack of sleep often leads to a negative chain of events. If your sleep is disturbed at night, it is inevitable that you will feel drowsy during the daytime. Imagine yourself falling asleep in the middle of the road, that too while driving. This puts both you and people around you at risk. Make sure that you do not get into a car accident due to snoring.

Stroke and Cardiac Arrest

Atrial fibrillation, which in non-technical language is the change of heartbeats, might prove to be life threatening if it happens to people with sleep apnea. Also, consult a doctor immediately if you are snorer as overweight people’s neck are often filled with plaque (deposits of fat) which makes them snore and ultimately leads to a stroke.

If losing weight does not help, you can always wear a CPAP mask, a snoring device that helps you to deal with both snoring and sleep apnea. However, this can be quite discomforting. Another alternative snore treatment is the use of snoring devices like anti snore sprays that also work quite effectively.

What are the causes of snoring?

You tend to snore when the nasal breathing passages are partially blocked, during sleep. That causes the loose tissues in the throat to vibrate with the airflow, termed as snoring. The common causes for snoring include nasal congestion, obesity, wrong sleeping position, consuming alcohol close to bedtime. Additionally, anatomical anomalies such as deviated septum or swollen tonsils can cause snoring. Snoring increases with muscle relaxation due to old age. For effective treatment, it is essential to know the specific cause of snoring.

How is snoring diagnosed?

Diagnosis for snoring is done by a sleep specialist or a doctor by looking at the sleep assessments, medical history and current physical examinations of the individuals. You might be asked questions about your sleep patterns, lifestyle habits and other health symptoms. In the physical examination, your mouth, nose and throat obstructions will be evaluated. Additionally, a sleep study might be advised to monitor breathing, heart rate, blood oxygen levels and even brain activity.

How to treat snoring naturally?

If you are looking to treat snoring naturally, it is essential to have healthy weight as being obese adds to layers of fat around the neck and throat, constricting airways and leading to heavy snoring. That is why you need to start sleeping on your side, use a humidifier in the room, apply nasal strips to widen the nostrils for better breathing, stick to a sleep schedule and avoid smoking and consumption of alcohol as it causes inflammation and relaxes the muscles, leading to snoring.

What are the side effects of snoring?

The side effects of snoring are felt not just by the snorer, but their bed partner too. The constant noise all through the night disrupts the quality of restful sleep, leading to daytime fatigue, poor concentration, irritability and mood swings. Additionally, chronic snoring leads to sleep apnea in most cases and that enhances the risk of hypertension, stroke and cardiac issues. Morning headaches, dry throat and nasal passages are commonly endured by those that snore regularly.

How can snoring be prevented?

Lifestyle changes and having proper sleep schedule can help reduce or prevent snoring. Try side sleeping than sleeping on your stomach or back. Weight reduction can help stop snoring as it reduces pressure on neck and throat. Avoid consumption of alcohol and sedatives as it over relaxes the muscles, leading to partial blockage in the throat, causing snoring. Use humidifier in the room, nasal strips to ease breathing and reduce nasal congestion.

Conclusion

Snoring affects the snorer and the bed partner, usually disrupting the quality of sleep. That leads to irritability, poor concentration apart from creating a wedge between a couple due to sleep deprivation. Snoring is one of the precursors of sleep apnea that increases your risk of stroke, heart attack and high blood pressure. It is important to address the snoring issue with anti-snoring remedies or medical treatment.