When Loud Snoring Becomes Dangerous
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Loud snoring is frustrating and annoying. It may even cause social distress, such as when the snorer worries about having to share a room with a colleague on a business trip, or when a romantic partner moves out of the bedroom due to the noise.
Most people, however, while they acknowledge that loud snoring is not desirable, do not think of it as something particularly dangerous.
Loud snoring, however, can be a symptom of a serious condition known as obstructive sleep apnea.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Loud snoring occurs when the airway passages in the throat are partially blocked by tissue. The air vibrating against the tissue is what causes the snoring sound. Obstructive sleep apnea, on the other hand, occurs when the airway passages in the throat become completely blocked, causing the snorer to stop breathing for a few seconds.
When breathing stops, the snorer awakens enough to change position and start breathing again. People who suffer from sleep apnea may wake up dozens or even hundreds of times in one night. Untreated sleep apnea may lead to more serious problems such as cardiovascular disease, memory problems, weight gain, etc. It is also probably also responsible for countless automobile accidents as the sleep-impaired snorer drifts off behind the wheel.
Loud Snoring Vs. Sleep Apnea
Loud snoring is one symptom of sleep apnea. But just because a person snores loudly does not necessarily mean he or she has to have sleep apnea. Some loud snoring is simply plain, uncomplicated snoring: annoying and irritating, perhaps, but not at all dangerous.
To tentatively diagnose sleep apnea, one must be on the lookout for other signs and symptoms. For instance, in addition to loud snoring, does the snorer sometimes stop breathing at night? Does he or she awaken a state of panic only to fall back to sleep a few moments later?
If you don't have a partner, there are other ways you can evaluate yourself for symptoms of sleep apnea. Chances are, you won't remember waking up at night, so you may need to think about other symptoms. For instance, when you awaken from a full night's sleep (at least eight hours), how do you feel? Refreshed, or exhausted? Are you drowsy during the day? Do you have headaches when you wake up? Do you wake up sweating?
If you have any of these symptoms, make an appointment to talk to your doctor. He or she will probably recommend a sleep study. If you do have sleep apnea, your doctor will prescribe a C-PAP machine which provides constant, gentle air pressure during sleep to keep the airway from becoming blocked.
Not all loud snoring is serious, but if you do snore loudly, keep an eye out for this all-too common complication.
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