Snoring is most definitely not a laughing matter. Anyone who has ever had a snoring partner, knows firsthand how truly frustrating and exhausting this can make them feel. People that do snore may have no idea how this impacts themselves and their family. Unfortunately, many Americans do have partners that snore. This has made many get very angry with their partners and force them to sleep in other rooms. Sometimes if their partner refuses to acknowledge that they do snore, this could cause permanent partner frustration and could even lead to separation or divorce.
Besides the obvious obnoxious noises, we hear when someone snores, there are other serious health risks which can impact the person.
The health conditions which can increase the possibility of snoring:
Obesity
Having a larger neck size (men greater than 17 inches and women greater than 16 inches)
Having endocrine disorders, such as thyroid deficiencies
Chronic sinus congestion
Inactivity
Being a smoker
Uncontrolled diabetes
Uncontrolled high blood pressure
A person with untreated snoring can experience:
Waking up several times a night
Chronic daytime fatigue and exhaustion
Depression
Memory problems
Higher risk for a heart attack, stroke
Sudden death
Higher risk for getting into a car accident or having a work accident
The person who is a chronic snorer may have a sleep disorder called sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is defined as when someone has moments where they stop breathing during their sleep. In order to know if a person has sleep apnea, they must have a sleep study performed by a specialist. It is best to have a spouse or family member to also attend the sleep specialist appointment, as they can share important sleep disorder symptoms they have observed. The sleep specialist may have the following questions for the family: Have you ever witnessed any time your partner has stopped breathing while sleeping? If so, how many times? And how long has he or she stopped breathing while sleeping? Have you noticed any excess daytime fatigue? Increased irritability? Answers to these questions will help with the sleep specialist's diagnosis. Once the sleep study is complete, the results will show the doctor if a person has mild, moderate or severe sleep apnea.
Mild sleep apnea: When a person has between 5 to 15 episodes of apnea (no breathing) within an hour.
Moderate sleep apnea: When a person has between 15 to 29 episodes of apnea within an hour.
Severe sleep apnea: When a person has more than 30 episodes of apnea within an hour.
Most often when a person has mild sleep apnea, they may not need to be treated or just be encouraged to lose weight or have better maintenance of their asthma or chronic sinus drainage. Sleeping in a different position can also help alleviate snoring, such as lying on one's side. A few other reminders to take note are to limit nightly alcohol intake and not to eat heavy meals prior to sleep. Furthermore, the use of sleeping pills may increase the risk of snoring.
Treatments for moderate to severe sleep apnea include: A nighttime oral appliance or mouth device; use of a CPAP or BiPAP machine, or surgery such as UPPP surgery. UPPP (Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty) surgery is when a person's uvula is removed along with some soft tissue from the pharynx and palate. Another surgical option would be to have a nerve stimulator implanted, to improve muscle strength and tone while a person sleeps, thus decreasing snoring and apnea episodes.
The importance of getting tested for sleep apnea is crucial for the health of the person who snores but also for the mental wellbeing of his or her family. Once the physician has a plan of treatment in place, this will help the person get adequate sleep each night, feel better emotionally and physically each day and be more alert and capable to live a healthier life.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Medical Coverage Determination Sleep Apnea. (PDF). Published 3/5/21. Revised 12/1/21.
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