Snoring can be a nuisance – it can keep you awake, get on your nerves and drive your partner into denial about how loud they are when you confront them the following morning.
But it’s actually very important to monitor snoring and keep your ears peeled for particular sounds and changes.
According to the experts over at NetDoctor, the UK’s leading health and wellbeing site, this is what snoring can tell us about our health:
Firstly, what is snoring?
Snoring occurs when the soft-tissue part of our upper airway – the soft palate, uvula, tongue etc – vibrate. It normally happens when sleeping people inhale and is most common in middle-aged men.
Snoring occurs when the soft-tissue part of our upper airway – the soft palate, uvula, tongue etc – vibrate. It normally happens when sleeping people inhale and is most common in middle-aged men.
Important things to know1. Snoring is not natural
Although it’s common, snoring is not natural. Anyone who snores should take steps to resolve it.
Although it’s common, snoring is not natural. Anyone who snores should take steps to resolve it.
2. Potential causes
Snoring is most commonly caused by being overweight, smoking, drinking alcohol and nasal obstruction (from flu or allergies etc) – all of which are very important health issues in themselves. The cause of the snoring should be addressed in it’s own right – a quiet night’s sleep is an added bonus.
Snoring is most commonly caused by being overweight, smoking, drinking alcohol and nasal obstruction (from flu or allergies etc) – all of which are very important health issues in themselves. The cause of the snoring should be addressed in it’s own right – a quiet night’s sleep is an added bonus.
3. Quality of sleep
Although the snorer is asleep, the person isn’t actually sleeping well and this can result in fatigue and headaches.
Although the snorer is asleep, the person isn’t actually sleeping well and this can result in fatigue and headaches.
4. Snoring can develop
After years of snoring, it is possible for it to develop into obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). Signs of OSA include very loud snoring with periods when the person stops breathing for up to 10 seconds before gasping and choking. This could happen several times throughout the night.OSA should always be addressed as it can develop into more serious conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and heart issues. If you are concerned about OSA, visit your GP.
After years of snoring, it is possible for it to develop into obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). Signs of OSA include very loud snoring with periods when the person stops breathing for up to 10 seconds before gasping and choking. This could happen several times throughout the night.OSA should always be addressed as it can develop into more serious conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and heart issues. If you are concerned about OSA, visit your GP.
5. Snoring and the menopause
Women are more likely to snore after the menopause as a drop in their oestrogen and progesterone levels leaves them less protected against lifestyle changes.
Women are more likely to snore after the menopause as a drop in their oestrogen and progesterone levels leaves them less protected against lifestyle changes.
6. Snoring and polycystic ovary syndrome
Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are pre-disposed to OSA due to weight gain.
Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are pre-disposed to OSA due to weight gain.
7. The effect on women
Women are more likely than men to suffer from depression, insomnia and headaches due to snoring and treatments are often designed more for males.
Women are more likely than men to suffer from depression, insomnia and headaches due to snoring and treatments are often designed more for males.
How to combat snoring
- Improve lifestyle – If you think your snoring might be down to weight, alcohol or a cold, take active steps to improve your lifestyle and feel the benefits in other consequential areas.
- Go to the doctor – Don’t assume you know what’s causing you or your partner to snore. Visit the GP and get to the bottom of it.
From: Good Housekeeping UK
