Snoring may be embarrassing for the person doing it, or annoying for the one hearing it. But before focusing on the social implications of snoring, you need to understand that severe snoring also entails a lot of serious health risks. Here are some of the health risks that may arise from what you thought is a sleeping condition.
Table of Contents
1. Sleep Apnea
Sleep Apnea is a sleeping disorder wherein your breathing becomes shallow or there are pauses in your breathing during sleep. The pauses in your breathing can be intermittent and may last for more than 10 seconds. To regulate your breathing, your body reacts by choking, and that causes you to wake up as you try to catch your breath. This happens several times during the night. Persons with sleep apnea have a poor quality of sleep as they tend to wake up every few minutes.
2. Stroke
One study is able to relate the severity of snoring with the increased chance of having carotid atherosclerosis. Carotid atherosclerosis is the narrowing of the neck arteries because of the plaque of fatty deposits. This condition may result in a stroke. The long-term risk of stroke has heightened the longer and the louder you snore during sleep.
3. Arrhythmia
Arrhythmia is a condition wherein you experience irregular heart rhythm. People with sleep apnea are at higher risk of having atrial fibrillation, which is a common kind of arrhythmia. In the long term, obstructive sleep apnea may cause the enlargement of the left atrium of the heart.
4. Heart Disease
It is a well-known fact that sleep apnea is directly linked to several heart diseases. Coronary heart disease and high blood pressure are just among the results of sleep apnea. These diseases can eventually lead to heart attack. People who suffered from sleep apnea and had been treated with Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) have shown a reduced risk of heart disease.
5. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
GERD is a condition wherein the contents of the stomach are being sucked back up into an individual’s esophagus. This happens as the throat closes during episodes of sleep apnea. Experts have observed that people with GERD are able to ease their condition as they lose weight.
6. Mental State Problem
People with sleep apnea often experience other mental health problems because of lack of sleep. Lack of sleep can cause irritability, which can result in depression. There is a well-established link between snoring, sleep apnea, and depression. People who exhibit sleepiness during the day have greater chances of being depressed and anxious. Having the ability to manage sleep disorders seem to ease depression as well.
7. Headache
People suffering from sleep disorders such as sleep apnea and insomnia are reported to have a frequent headache during the daytime. This is because not having enough sleep will result in having poor concentration. Your brain is not getting enough oxygen which is needed for the regeneration of your brain cells. And while you try your best to concentrate, you are also overworking your brain in the process, which could lead to a headache.
8. Injury
Sleep deprivation can cause injury, especially if daytime sleepiness becomes so intense that you may sleep behind the wheel. This will cause injury to you and other people as well. People who are working with machines are also at great risk of having injuries as they may fall asleep with the machines working. Not having enough sleep reduces your concentration and mental alertness.
9. Frequent Trips to The Bathroom at Night
People suffering from snoring tend to wake up and then have the urge to take a trip to the bathroom. However, some people would rather go back to sleep despite the urge. This may result in them wetting the bed, and then having to get up and completely lose sleep.
These are some of the reasons snoring should be managed right away. This way, you would not have to deal with these serious complications. A restful sleep at night goes a long way when taking care of yourself.
Author Bio: Katherine Dilworth is a wife, mother and a blogger and she writes on caseydilworth.com, this blog provides exclusive information on Why do People Snore and Home Remedies for Snoring. You can follow her on Twitter, Facebook, and Google+.
