Is Snoring Starting To Decline Your Health?
Snoring can affect a person’s health in a number of ways. For many people, snoring is occasional and is usually caused by sleep deprivation, sleeping position, or being overweight. This type of snoring can be remedied through simple lifestyle changes. Getting 8 hours of sleep every night and/or weight loss can greatly reduce or eliminate the problem. Occasional snoring usually has little effect on a person’s overall health.
Excessive snoring, however, can be a sign of sleep apnea, a condition in which one stops breathing in his/her sleep several times a night. It can range from mild to severe and has a variety of symptoms. Sleep apnea can cause sleepiness during the day, lack of energy, morning headaches, waking up with a sore throat, and over time can lead to high blood pressure or diabetes. Frequent sleep disturbance may eventually lead to irritability and inability to concentrate.
If an individual suspects a medical problem related to snoring, it is important to get the problem diagnosed and treated. In most cases, the individual will be referred to a sleep specialist who will perform a sleep study. This will determine whether or not he/she has an underlying medical issue that needs to be addressed.