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Health Risks Associated with Snoring

​Snoring is a common condition where a person takes noisy breaths during sleep.  The leading cause behind the problem is the vibration of the tissues in the upper airway.  Snoring occurs more frequently in men and people who are overweight. The condition tends to heighten with age.

Occasional snoring is not considered to be very serious. It can happen due to excessive tiredness or blocked nose. However, if you snore every time you sleep, then you need to pay more attention to the problem. This will not only disrupt the sleep pattern of your partner but also impair your sleep quality. To get a good night's sleep and get rid of snoring, you need proper medical assistance.

Let's have a look at some of the leading causes of snoring -

Age

As you start to age, your body naturally starts to relax and lose muscle tone. The same happens with your throat and tongue muscles as well. The muscles present there to relax and come in the path of your airways causing obstructions that lead to snoring.

Weight

If you are obese, it is more likely that you have an excess of built-up fatty tissues in all your body parts, including the throat. In this condition, the airway gets blocked, causing snoring.

Alcohol consumption and smoking

Alcohol, smoking​ and some medications increase muscle relaxation allowing the flesh of the throat to relax and disrupt airflow. Smoking also irritates the throat muscles and nasal passages causing inflammation of these areas and further restriction of airflow.

Nasal and sinus problems

The nasal passages swell due to sinus infections and seasonal allergies, making breathing difficult and snoring likely. Nasal deformity like deviated septum and nasal polyps also cause snoring. A person can even suffer from sleep apnea if he/she has a severely deviated septum.

Sleep posture

People who sleep on their back are more likely to snore. In this posture, the tissues at the back of the throat can more easily fall back and cause complete or partial blockage of the airway. Sleep on your side as it reduces the chances of snoring.

If left untreated snoring can become a much larger health issue. It could even be fatal and result in obstructive sleep apnea.

Here are few health risks associated with heightened snoring/ sleep apnea-

Long interruptions of breathing

Sleep apnea causes frequent interruptions in breathing. In case the breathing interruptions are constant and last through the night, you won't be able to have a sound sleep and keep waking up times and again.

Light sleeping

Waking up several times a night hinders the regular sleeping pattern, causing more time to be spent in light sleep.  Since you did not enjoy a night of restorative, deeper sleep, you tend to feel sleepy and tired the next day.

Strain on Heart

If left untreated, obstructed sleep apnea often leads to high blood pressure, and may cause the enlargement of the heart. It also creates a higher risk of heart​ attacks and strokes.

Low oxygen levels in the blood

Due to irregular breathing, your body doesn't get the right level of oxygen in the bloodstream. This tenses the blood vessels in the lungs, which may lead to if left untreated.

Excessive Daytime Sleepiness

Those with sleeping disorders or frequent snorers do not get enough sleep through the night and may feel sluggish during the day. Daytime sleepiness is quite dangerous and can affect your work and personal life.

Diseases come uncalled, and hence it is necessary to stay prepared to deal with them. Getting a health insurance policy is a good way to deal with them. It keeps you financially ready when the hard times come. To be precise, a health insurance policy acts as a financial cushion in case of strenuous medical emergencies.