Snoring may be considered a normal sleeping habit, however, findings show it could be a sign of something more serious. It may be annoying for those who stay awake at night due to the loud snoring of their partners, but they must be aware that it can signal a serious health problem.
According to the American Sleep Apnea Association, around 90 million Americans snore when they sleep. While half of them may be primary snorers, the other half may be suffering from a more serious condition called Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).
OSA is a very common condition but only a few people know they have it. Less than one in three people who have this condition are aware they have it. According to the British Thoracic Society (BTS) as reported by NHS, it can affect all ages, especially middle aged men whom 2 to 4 % are sufferers.
There are many reasons why people snore. The most common reason is obstruction of their airways. Parts of the pharynx such as the soft palate or roof of the mouth block the flow of air.
According to Michael Grandner, PhD, professor of psychiatry and a member of the Center for Sleep and Circadian Neurobiology at the University of Pennsylvania's Perelman School of Medicine, "If you blow air through a floppy tube, it's going to vibrate and make noise," explains. "And at night, for a lot of people, your airways become a floppy tube."
Grander explains that arund 5% to 15% of middle aged adults have sleep apnea and it is associated with many health problems such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, heart attacks and other problems in the cardiovascular system.
There are many conditions that can cause snoring according to American Academy of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery (AAOHS). Examples are poor muscle tone in the tongue and throat, excessive bulkiness of the throat tissue, long soft palate or uvula, and obstructed nasal airways.
Many experts say that sleep apnea or snoring can pose serious long-term health effects to the body. AAOHS added that OSA is a condition wherein multiple episodes of breathing pauses happen due to airway narrowing or collapse. Hence, the amount of oxygen in the blood can lead to the heart working harder than usual. Also, it causes disruption of adequate sleep that can lead to serious health problems.
"A lot of people think sleep apnea will cause them to suffocate, but it won't. You're still getting enough air to breathe --and if not, your brain will wake you up," Grandner said.
There are many treatment options available for snoring that can help a person conquer sleep apnea. Also, there are health tips to consider like lifestyle changes, avoiding sleeping pills or antihistamines before sleeping, avoiding heavy meals or alcohol at least 4 hours before sleeping, and sleeping at the side.
