9 Hidden Potential Health Risks of Snoring

While most of us crack jokes on our snoring, the habit actually is more than just an embarrassing or irritating practice. Snoring can be a serious sleep disorder and those who suffer from this sleep disorder named Sleep Apnea, have 40% more chances to die early than others.

There are a lot of side-effects that come along with Sleep Apnea says sleep medicine expert Karl Doghramji, MD, medical director of the Sleep Center at Thomas Jefferson University and Hospitals in Philadelphia.

If you snore due to sleep apnea, you are exposed to over 10 types of health risks that can affect your lifeline. Here are the risks in store for you:

1. Stroke:

As per the reports, a huge reason for snoring can be associated with the risk of Carotid Atherosclerosis. It is a condition where the arteries in the neck become narrow because of a fatty deposit known as ‘Plaque’.

The condition can be fatal as it results in a stroke. A simple equation states that the louder you snore in the night, the higher are your chances of getting a stroke. You must consult an expert if you stop breathing while you are asleep, you experience daytime drowsiness or already have high blood pressure.

2. GERD:

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease also known as GERD is a very common health risk in people who have Sleep Apnea. This is primarily because the movement of the throat becomes disoriented when you have sleep apnea. As a result of the disrupted air passage through the throat, the food content can be sucked up to the esophagus very easily.

3. Mental health issues:

Often people with sleep apnea do not get a good night’s sleep which causes a lot of mental problems such as anxiety or crankiness. There are studies that show hoe sleep apnea, snoring and mental health have a well-established connection.

4. Arrhythmias:

There are high chances of a sleep apnea affected person of developing irregular heart rhythm, or arrhythmia. The researches have quoted that people who have sleep apnea experience episodes of atrial fibrillation than others. Atrial fibrillation is a common type of arrhythmias and occurs when the conductive system of the heart is interrupted.

5. Injury:

Dr. Doghramji says, “This is one of the more serious dangers of sleep deprivation caused by snoring or sleep apnea. Daytime sleepiness can be so intense that it puts you and the people around you at risk.” Lack of sleep because of sleep apnea makes you fall asleep at wrong timing and this may cause you a serious injury.

6. Nocturia:

Nocturia is a condition when a person gets up from the sleep to use the washroom more than two-three times. While it may be an outcome of lost bladder control, sleep apnea to play a significant role in causing you discomfort and getting up to relieve.

7. A decrease in sexual drive:

A report suggested that the louder an individual snores, the lesser are their sexual satisfaction levels. Many people are so affected by their snoring that they don’t have the desire for intimate relations with their spouse, says Doghramji.

8. Fetal complications:

“Snoring during the last trimester of pregnancy is usually due to weight gain. Of greater concern”, explains Dr. Doghramji, which also increased the risk of fetal complications. While the studies on this particular side effect of sleep apnea are still on, this is considered to be a serious risk.

9. Heart Disease:

Dr. Doghramji says, “We know that sleep apnea is linked to cardiovascular problems, such as high blood pressure and coronary artery disease, eventually leading to possible heart attacks.”  The reports further suggest that those who have sleep apnea, are exposed to the risk of nonfatal heart disease events as well as fatal heart attacks.

These are some of the health risks that you may develop if you snore ad are affected with sleep apnea. Consult an expert today and opt for a sleep test to find out whether your snoring is a sign of sleep apnea and take precautionary measures to prevent the health risks.