Most people snore, and it is often considered not a big deal when someone does because it is almost normal. However, snoring can often be an indication of something more serious.
If you realise that someone snores and it’s consistent, this particular person might have an underlying condition that makes them snore so much.
While most people are unaware of the noises they produce while sleeping at night, Mayo Clinic does point out the following signs that prove that you snore at night.
These include:
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Difficulty concentrating
- Morning headaches
- Sore throat upon awakening
- Restless sleep
- Gasping or choking at night
- High blood pressure
- Chest pain at night
The Maryland ENT Center states that you suggest professional help for someone you know who regularly snores because it can mean that they have the following underlying conditions:
Heart-related conditions: According to the centre mentioned above, an early warning indicator of cardiovascular disease may be snoring. Research suggests that snorers with sleep difficulties have an increased risk of carotid artery thickening. “Having thicker carotid arteries has links to cardiovascular disease. When you snore excessively, the vibrations you create can cause your carotid arteries to become inflamed and as a result, thicken.” The centre further claims that when your carotid arteries are thickened, you are more prone to stroke and other cardiovascular diseases.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea: The above-mentioned source also declares that another snore-associated condition could be sleep apnea, which is indicated when someone “snores frequently and loudly and sometimes chokes or gasps for air at night.” The Maryland Centre adds that when you have obstructive sleep apnea, your airway collapses, sometimes completely, and you stop breathing for ten seconds or longer at a time when this occurs. It is also said that hundreds of these incidents may happen throughout the night. “When your breathing pauses, it causes you to jolt yourself awake each time to start breathing again. Obstructive sleep apnea affects your quality of sleep,” explains the above-mentioned source.
Hypothyroidism: The publication above states that your thyroid gland doesn’t create enough hormones if you have hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism frequently manifests as snoring, weariness, sadness, sensitivity to cold, brittle hair and nails, and dry skin.
Nasal Polyps: “Another reason that could explain why you snore is if you have nasal polyps. Polyps are growths that form in inflamed tissue of your sinuses and nose. Although nasal polyps aren’t a cause for concern on their own, trouble can arise when they’re substantial growths or clusters of polyps.” Additionally, the source states that these might block your nose and because of the blockage, you will breathe via your mouth while you are asleep.
The first step to stop snoring is treating these underlying illnesses before they become life-threatening problems. Other techniques suggested by WebMD include:
- Lifestyle changes – Your doctor may advise you to stop smoking, lose weight, or cut back on alcohol before bed.
- Mouth appliances – When you sleep, you can wear a little plastic gadget in your mouth. By moving your mouth or tongue, it maintains your airways open.
- Surgery – Your doctor may remove tissue from your neck, reduce its size, or stiffen your soft palate.
