What happens in snoring?
The snoring is the unusual sound
produced due to obstructive airway while sleeping. The strange sound is
associated with the vibration of respiratory structure and organs due to
forceful respiration. Due to different reasons, the obstruction in the inhaled
air produces snoring sound. The intensity and pattern of the sounds vary with
the nature and severity of the obstruction of the airway.
Therefore, you see different styles
of snoring in different people. In most of the cases, the snoring sound is
quiet and soft. But the loud, horrible and unpleasant sound has been noticed in
many snoring cases.
Is snoring bad for sleep?
Usually, the individual is unaware
of the snoring sounds because it occurs during deep sleep. However, the snoring
is bad for your bed partner because he/she remains disturbed due to your
snoring sound which directly hits her/his mind. In some cases, the individual
wakes due to severe obstruction, but he/she goes to sleep again.
So, there is no certain effect of
snoring on your sleep, but your bed partner or roommates suffer a lot. Is
snoring bad for sleep? The answer to this question is no because snoring does
not cause any disturbance in your sleep.
Causes of snoring while sleeping
The snoring is not harmful, but its
causes can be an alarming sign some cases which you will read in the following
headings. Once you have noticed the snoring sound, even it is minor and soft;
you need to sort out the cause. The harmfulness of the snoring depends upon the
causing factors.
The snoring itself may be the sign
of any serious illness which may need urgent treatment and prevention. In the
following paragraphs, I have highlighted some probable causes of snoring.
1. Age factor:
If you have ever noticed, the aged
people are more prone to develop snoring. Usually, the people of 40s and above
have been seen snoring during sleep. The probable cause of snoring in the old
age group is the relaxation of muscles. Along with other body muscles, the
throat muscles also relax. The relaxed and hanging throat muscles fall back in
the respiratory tracts and cause obstruction.
2. Weight factor:
Being overweight and obesity cause
many health problems including night snoring. The overweight causes snore
irrespective of the age factor. Every individual with overweight can suffer
from snoring during any stage of age. Like other body parts, the fat accumulates
in the throat and respiratory tract. The fats narrow down the airway which
further cause snoring sounds while sleeping.
3. Dependence upon alcohol and tobaccos
The alcohol and smoking may also
cause snoring. The excessive use of alcohol and tobacco cause relaxation of
throat muscles like you have read in the age factor. However, the snoring
caused due to alcohol and smoking may occur in any stage of life. Even, the
youngsters may also be affected by alcohol and tobacco.
Moreover, the alcohol and tobacco cause
inflammation and infection of the respiratory tract. The inflammation causes
obstruction of the airway which further causes snoring.
4. Fatigue and stress
The fatigue and stress factors may
also cause snoring. The stress and fatigue impair the brain control over
different body muscles. The throat muscles may also get relaxed if you are over
fatigued or overstressed. The snoring caused due to fatigue and stress is
temporary and subsides when the effects of fatigue and stress are over.
5. Body position during sleep
Your body position does also cause
snoring while sleeping. The people who are habitual to sleep in supine position
are more likely to be snoring. There may be two usual reasons for snoring while
sleeping in the supine position. The secretion from the mouth may travel toward
the respiratory tract which produces sound during exhalation.
The second reason is falling back of
the tongue. This type of snoring is also a temporary because you can eliminate
the cause by changing your body posture.
6. Nasal and sinus problems
The patients with nasal and sinus
issues have been noted snoring at night. The infection of nasal and sinus cause
inflation of the breathing causing difficulty in breathing. Moreover, the DNS
(deviated nasal septum) cases have been noted snoring. Due to DNS, the balance
of air intake is disturbed. The imbalanced air intake from the nostrils
produces snoring sound.
7. Allergies
Allergies of uncertain origin or
known origin may also cause snoring. The patients suffering from allergic
sinusitis and allergic rhinitis have also been noted snoring. The allergies
cause inflammation of respiratory tract which narrows down the airway. Due to
forceful inhalation and exhalation, the snoring sound is produced.
Is snoring bad for general health?
The snoring caused due to factors
mentioned above is usually harmless. In some cases, like infections and
allergies, there may be the disturbance in sleep pattern. However, the snoring
produced due to infection and allergies are a temporary. You can control over
with treatment and prevention.
You have read above that the snoring
may be the sign of any serious illness. Is snoring bad for general health? In
such condition, the answer may be “yes” because there are life threatening
diseases that may also cause snoring. Until these diseases are not rolled out,
the snoring must be considered as life risk.
1. Obstructive sleep apnea
The obstructive sleep apnea also
causes snoring while sleeping. The long term effects of sleep apnea cause high
blood pressure and arrhythmias. The high blood pressure and arrhythmias further
cause enlargement of heart size which is an alarming symptom for the human.
2. Deficiency of oxygen in the blood
The impairment of air intake causes
low oxygen tension in the blood. Particularly, the total volume of oxygen at
tissue level is decreased. The deficiency of oxygen at tissue level causes
different types of health issues associated with hypoxia. A frequent headache,
dizziness, and drowsiness are the symptoms of low oxygen tension at the tissue
level.
3. Sleep disorders
The sleep disorder issue is also an
outcome of snoring. In severe cases, the patient wakes up frequently during the
night which causes sleep disturbance. This sign is also associated with
obstructive sleep apnea. Due to disturbed night sleep, the patient feels asleep
during the daytime. In any case, the sleep disturbance may be considered as
dangerous.
4. Strain on the heart
As you have read above that sleep
apnea causes high blood pressure and arrhythmias. The high blood pressure and
arrhythmias result of high level strain on the heart. The continuous strain
increases the chances of heart attack and stroke.
So, sleep apnea followed by high
blood pressure and arrhythmias is always a life risk sign. If you are suffering
from snoring, it is better to investigate the case through pathological and
radiological methods to roll out obstructive sleep apnea and heart related
issues.
Do you have issues with snoring? Do you think this snoring
bad for your health? What did you do to treat and manage your snoring? Leave a
comment below!
