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Snoring And Sleep Apnea- Could There Be A Link?

Sleep Apnea is a common sleep disorder caused when low levels of oxygen reach the brain during sleep. It hinders normal breathing patterns for about 10 seconds or longer during sleep and this is known as apnea. Due to this, your sleep will be interrupted several times as you will be compelled to briefly awaken to breathe better. Sometimes you may make a sound when your breathing is obstructed which is referred to as snoring. Snoring happens when the air flowing through the nose and airways causes the tissues to vibrate. Snoring can be occasional or regular with some people and can lead to serious health concerns as well. On other occasions, it can also be an indication of a serious underlying condition such as sleep apnea. Snoring not only hampers the sleep cycle and sleep quality but can also make the person feel irritated, anxious and exhausted.

The common signs and symptoms of sleep apnea are as follows:

Apart from these symptoms, sleep apnea may even cause insomnia, mood swings, sexual dysfunction, or unnatural weight gain. It further puts a person at risk of stroke, high blood pressure, heart failure and diabetes. 

Types of Sleep Disorders:

Why do people snore?

The throat tissues sometimes relax too much to partially block your airway and cause vibrations. This is why people snore and the narrower the airway, the louder the noise gets.

Treatment

Treatment of Sleep Apnea and management of sleep disorder is based on the severity of your condition, duration, signs and causes. It largely depends on the patient’s overall lifestyle and health condition. Depending on the underlying cause, your doctor will suggest suitable treatment options. If you are ready to embrace certain lifestyle changes, such as undergoing a weight loss program and using a breathing assistance device, your condition may improve to a great extent.

Exercise

Physical exercise and weight loss can help treat sleep apnea. You must regularly perform aerobic activities and take care of your cardiovascular health. This reduces the risk of complications related to obesity and keeps you healthy.

Supportive Care – For severe cases

Surgery

Also Read: What are Adenoids? A Comprehensive Overview of Their Function and Importance

Conclusion

While snoring may seem like a funny trivial issue, one should never ignore it. It might be the precursor to something more dangerous. Any kind of sleep disorder should be addressed and nipped in the bud by speaking to a doctor. It is not a good idea to rely on sleeping pills and home remedies to help solve the problem. A doctor will evaluate and diagnose your condition to suggest what’s best for you.

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

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