The dangers of snoring
Not everyone who snores regularly has sleep apnea. Claims Dr. Avi, who is certified in sleep medicine by the American Board of Sleep Medicine, estimates 50 percent of those with loud snoring have it. But sleep apnea is not the only health condition that is associated with snoring. Snoring usually because of an obstruction or a narrowing of the airway. The more the airway closes or is blocked, the harder the body has to work to push air, putting pressure on the heart. That's why, over time, loud snoring can lead to high blood pressure, says Dr. Avi. "People who are just snorers have higher incidence of stroke and cardiovascular disorders."
Sleep apnea, in which the airway becomes blocked fully or partially, can be viewed as one extreme of the snoring spectrum. Soft or intermittent snoring, would be at the other end. As the sound and persistence of a patient's snoring grows, so do the health concerns. A study published in the March 1, 2008 issue of the journal Sleep found that loud snorers had a 40 percent greater risk than nonsnorers of suffering from high blood pressure, 34 percent greater odds of having a heart attack and a 67 percent greater chance of having a stroke.
That's a problem given the number of loud snorers out there. In a recent poll by the National Sleep Foundation, about one third of U.S. working adults reported snoring at least a few nights in the previous month. Snoring generally worsens with age so the rate is even higher among the elderly. And, contrary to common perceptions, it's nearly as common in women as men. Menopause and being overweight are important factors.
Yet many who regularly snore don't realize that it could be bad for their health. The research linking hypertension, heart problems and loud snoring is relatively new. And though awareness of sleep apnea is growing, Dr. Avi says the condition is still vastly undertreated. Primary-care doctors don't normally ask patients about the quality of their sleep and few patients think to tell their doctors that they're snoring, unless it becomes disruptive to their partner. It is estimated that between 12 to 18 million Americans have some form of sleep apnea but many of them remain undiagnosed for years. Research from the National Sleep Foundation indicates that only half of those with sleep apnea are being treated. Since it is a progressive condition, says Dr. Avi, director of the Aviisha Medical Wellness Institute, "the person with sleep apnea is usually not aware of how severe the condition is."
Sleep apnea, in which the airway becomes blocked fully or partially, can be viewed as one extreme of the snoring spectrum. Soft or intermittent snoring, would be at the other end. As the sound and persistence of a patient's snoring grows, so do the health concerns. A study published in the March 1, 2008 issue of the journal Sleep found that loud snorers had a 40 percent greater risk than nonsnorers of suffering from high blood pressure, 34 percent greater odds of having a heart attack and a 67 percent greater chance of having a stroke.
That's a problem given the number of loud snorers out there. In a recent poll by the National Sleep Foundation, about one third of U.S. working adults reported snoring at least a few nights in the previous month. Snoring generally worsens with age so the rate is even higher among the elderly. And, contrary to common perceptions, it's nearly as common in women as men. Menopause and being overweight are important factors.
Yet many who regularly snore don't realize that it could be bad for their health. The research linking hypertension, heart problems and loud snoring is relatively new. And though awareness of sleep apnea is growing, Dr. Avi says the condition is still vastly undertreated. Primary-care doctors don't normally ask patients about the quality of their sleep and few patients think to tell their doctors that they're snoring, unless it becomes disruptive to their partner. It is estimated that between 12 to 18 million Americans have some form of sleep apnea but many of them remain undiagnosed for years. Research from the National Sleep Foundation indicates that only half of those with sleep apnea are being treated. Since it is a progressive condition, says Dr. Avi, director of the Aviisha Medical Wellness Institute, "the person with sleep apnea is usually not aware of how severe the condition is."
Source...