We all snore at some point of time. Allergies or cold may block nasal passage, and a few drinks close to bedtime will automatically relax throat muscles, palate and tongue, and before we can know it, we are unconsciously snoring. Snoring is normal, and you need not be worried about it, but snoring can also be a critical sign of obstructive sleep apnea, which is a severe sleep disorder where people actually stop breathing for 10 seconds or more.
If your snoring is loud or raucous or when it is interrupted by pauses in your breathing, then it is really concerning.
Why can snoring be very, very scary?
Obstructive sleep apnea is because of the blockage of the airways by relaxed, heavy or weak soft tissues. You may be making efforts with your chest and belly to get air in and out, but due to obstruction in the upper airway, you cannot do so.
If this condition is left untreated, the condition of obstructive sleep apnea can put you at a high risk of hypertension, depression, type 2 diabetes, heart disease or even death.
Seven signs which tell that your snoring has become dangerous and you need snoring relief
How can you tell when your snoring has become dangerous for your health? Experts use a sleep questionnaire. Here is what it means
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Tired
If you are getting exhausted during the day, then it is guaranteed that you will get poor sleep and that too with a loud snore. It can also be a tell-tale symptom of sleep apnea. If you have daytime sleepiness, you may have strong sleep apnea.
Also, if you fall asleep anytime, like in a movie theatre or sitting down for a small break after lunch, all these are symptoms accompanied by fatigue and will surely take you down with your snoring.
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Observed
Most people are unaware that they snore at night and do not stop breathing during the night unless their nasal blockage is so bad that sometimes they wake up choking and gasping. The observed apnea is worse than just snoring.
Apnea means there is no flow of air from in and out, i.e., you are not breathing; however, observed apnea is a serious red flag.
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High blood pressure
Obstructive sleep apnea can result in hypertension. When a person stops breathing for a few seconds, their body’s sympathetic nervous system starts acting and elevates the blood pressure.
Along with this, the body also releases stress hormones known as catecholamines. You really need snoring solutions to save yourself from hypertension.
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BMI
BMI score is normally used to indicate weight levels. For measuring BMI, health professionals use weight and height data to track the changes in weight related to height. If the BMI falls between 18.5-24.9, the BMI is considered as usual; however, if it is 25 to 29.9, you will be considered overweight, and BMI more than 30 is known as obese.
People with a BMI of 30+ normally suffer from obstructive sleep apnea because of the extra weight in the tongue, mouth and neck, which collapse the soft tissues and result in snoring.
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Age
With age, your muscle tone weakens. It also includes weakening of the soft neck and palate. If you are above 50 years of age, it is a potential sign that you may be snoring or have obstructive sleep apnea. You can consult your doctor for some snoring relief.
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Neck
If you have a large neck circumference due to genetics or an overweight condition, it can increase the chances of obstructive sleep apnea.
To measure the neck size, you can use a rule of thumb. If the collar size is more than 40.6 centimetres (16 inches) for females and 43 centimetres (17 inches) for males, you are at high risk of sleep apnea. It would be best if you contact the doctor for snoring solutions.
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Gender
Males are more prone to obstructive sleep apnea. It is because men tend to have fatter tongues and more fat in the upper bodies (mainly at the neck) than women. Males also have more belly fat which can result in difficulty breathing. In women, sleep apnea can be seen after menopause.
Wrap Up
Luckily, there are snoring solutions that can help you reduce or eliminate snoring during bedtime. If these solutions are followed promptly, you will surely get snoring relief.