Snoring is often a problem for quite a few people. It is estimated that over 20-25% of the population suffers from snoring problems. Snoring is common in men between 30-65 years of age though some women do snore. Snoring happens when tissues in the airway behind the nostrils vibrate as air passes over them. It is noticed in people whose snoring is loud while it is also a fact that sometimes it may not be audible. But it should be noted that whether loud or barely noticeable, they disrupt the sleep of the snoring patients. That brings to the question of snoring is bad for your health. Here are reasons why it may be bad.
Common Health Problems associated with Snoring
- Very often people who snore suffer from Sleep Apnea. Sleep apnea is snoring loud which is accompanied by gasping for air in intervals. This gasping for air can make you awake suddenly from sleep. That is why it is called Disruptive Sleep Apnea.
- Often people who have snoring issues along with sleep apnea are obese. Obesity per se is not healthy and the effect of obesity on the health of an individual is pretty negative. It has been found out that snoring and sleep apnea for a long period of time can induce obesity too due to the sleep deprivation associated with it. So it is a vicious cycle.
- Snoring that brings in Sleep Apnea can have a damaging effect on our cognitive performance if it is not addressed on time.
- Untreated snoring and associated Sleep Apnea can increase the risk of heart diseases, heart attacks, high blood pressure, diabetes, insulin resistance, stroke, kidney diseases, reduced immune power, breathing disorders and worsening of asthma or bronchitis present.
- It may also increase the chances of complications if you have undergone any surgeries.
Treatments Available for Snoring
- Visit an ENT specialist then your dentist together or independently to check the root cause of snoring.
- If your dentist confirms that there are some abnormalities in your mouth which are positioning of the lower jaw and tongue that is causing snoring, then the dentists are qualified to recommend certain treatments like prescribing you wearing a therapeutic mouth guard.
- If the dentist finds that it is due to any reason where a dentist cannot resolve the snoring, they recommend to any physician or ENT surgeon who are qualified to address the snoring issue.
- Sometimes it may be due to the presence of tonsils, adenoids or nasal polyps. In such cases, specific treatments or surgeries are recommended.
- Certain devices like CPAP machines can hold the airway open and prevent breathing interruptions.
- Certain preventive treatments like reducing the body weight, correcting sleeping posture, treating nasal congestion, etc., are also recommended.