We all find ourselves snoring at some point, and especially elders in our family tend to snore almost every night right? At times, it can be annoying while sleeping in the same room, and often it is considered as a harmless habit and never taken as something serious. Snoring is a condition that has been affecting millions of people around the world. And chronic snoring can impact your health on a negative level.
Is snoring considered normal?
The term “snoring” describes the rattling, snorting, or mumbling noise that some people make when they sleep. It takes place when your airway is obstructed. For many people, snoring is common (and normal). In actuality, almost everyone snores occasionally, even young children and babies. However, excessively loud and disruptive snoring could be a sign of sleep apnea, a disorder that causes breathing pauses while you sleep.
What is the science behind snoring?
Snoring occurs when air struggles to flow freely through your upper airway during sleep. This could happen for several reasons:
Narrowed airways:
Enlarged tonsils, a deviated septum, or a naturally narrow throat can all restrict flow.
Excess tissue:
Relaxed throat muscles and floppy soft palate can vibrate in the airway, causing the characteristic sound.
Tongue position:
When the tongue falls back in the throat during sleep, it can block the airway partially.
Allergies and congestion:
A stuffy nose due to allergies or a cold can significantly worsen snoring. As you breathe in, the narrowed airway creates suction, causing the relaxed tissues to vibrate, producing the familiar snoring sound. This struggle for air can lead to several sleep disruptions. Consult the top ENT specialist in Coimbatore if your snoring has become trouble for you.
How does snoring affect the quality of sleep?
While you might not wake up every time you snore, the process itself interrupts your sleep cycle. Here’s how:
Micro-awakenings:
The effort to breathe against a narrowed airway can cause brief awakenings you might not even be aware of. These micro-awakenings prevent you from entering deeper, more restorative stages of sleep.
Oxygen deprivation:
In severe cases, snoring can partially or completely block the airway, leading to temporary pauses in breathing. This oxygen deprivation can jolt you awake or leave you feeling sluggish in the morning.
Increased heart rate:
The struggle to breathe puts stress on your body, leading to an elevated heart rate throughout the night. These disruptions leave you feeling tired and unrested, even after a full night’s sleep.
Is snoring considered harmful?
Not all snoring is harmful, and there are no dangers of snoring. Most people have snorted at some point in their lives. But if your snoring is loud or interferes with your quality of sleep, it’s time to see a doctor.
What are the possible reasons for snoring while sleeping?
Snoring can be caused due to several factors, and at times it can be harmless as well. Here are the risk factors of developing snoring,
Age:
As we age, our airways constrict due to a decrease in muscle tone, which makes snoring more common.
Anatomy:
You may find it difficult to breathe through your nose and mouth if you have large tonsils, enlarged adenoids, or a large tongue. Airflow obstructions can also result from a deviated septum, which is an off-center piece of cartilage that divides your nostrils.
Overall health:
Airflow through your mouth and nose is obstructed by nasal congestion brought on by allergies and common colds. Hormonal changes during pregnancy also make snoring more common in pregnant women.
Weight:
Obesity increases the chances of snoring and breathing problems during sleep.
What are the consequences of poor sleep due to snoring?
The disturbed sleep caused by snoring can lead to a range of health issues, including:
Daytime sleepiness:
Chronic fatigue is a common symptom of sleep-deprived snorers. This can impact your work performance, concentration, and overall mood.
Increased risk of accidents:
Drowsiness can significantly increase your risk of car accidents and workplace injuries.
Mood swings and irritability:
Lack of sleep can make you more prone to irritability, impatience, and mood swings.
Cardiovascular issues:
Chronic snoring can be associated with high blood pressure, heart attack, and stroke.
Metabolic problems:
Lack of sleep has been connected to a higher risk of type 2 diabetes and obesity.
What are the tips to control snoring and improve quality of sleep?
If you or your family member snores regularly, here are some steps you can take to improve sleep quality:
Lifestyle changes:
Maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding alcohol and heavy meals before bed, and quitting smoking can all help reduce snoring.
Sleeping position:
Sleeping on your back can worsen snoring. To maintain an open airway, try sleeping on your side.
Nasal decongestants:
If allergies or congestion contribute to snoring, nasal sprays or strips can open up the nasal passages.
CPAP Therapy:
In severe cases of sleep apnea (a condition where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep), a CPAP machine uses continuous positive airway pressure to keep the airway open.
Does snoring always mean sleep apnea?
It’s not always the case that snoring indicates sleep apnea. Although snoring is frequently a sign of sleep apnea, there are numerous other causes as well.
When should you worry about snoring?
If your snoring interferes with your sleep or causes other problems like exhaustion, headaches, or difficulty breathing, consult a doctor to find the best way to stop snoring. To find out if you have sleep apnea or another kind of breathing disorder related to sleep, they can perform tests.
Can snoring be reversed?
At times snoring is just a one time possibility, in case snoring is caused by an underlying condition then it is important to treat the condition. Snoring can be reduced or reversed by following healthy lifestyle habits, losing a couple of kilos, and in case snoring is caused by nasal congestion then decongestant sprays can be ideal.
Important Takeaway:
Snoring is a common and generally benign condition. However, loud, persistent snoring that disrupts your sleep may be a sign of a more serious problem. Sleep apnea may be indicated by additional symptoms such as headaches, irritability, fatigue during the day, or gasping for air while you sleep. It’s prudent to make an appointment with the best ent hospital in coimbatore if you’re unsure whether snoring is detrimental to your health.
