If you sleep next to your partner at night and you can’t stand the sound of their loud snores, you aren’t alone. Millions of Americans experience heavy snoring each night, whether it is coming from their own nose or the sound is being made by their family member. Either way, it’s important to know that snoring can be more than just a nuisance. In some cases, it can cause some serious health issues. But can snoring be fatal?
Can Snoring Be Fatal?
But, how serious? Can snoring be fatal? Can anything be done to prevent snoring and encourage a smoother sleep? There are certain signs and symptoms that your snoring will lead to sleep apnea, which can have deadly results if left untreated. Read more about the risks posed by loud sleeping and how to find the best treatment to stop snoring for good.
How Snoring is Dangerous
You may not have ever thought about snoring as a dangerous habit. Maybe you thought that some people just sleep louder than others. And while this is true, it also is a sign that the snoring needs to stop. Snoring sounds are produced as a result of the tissues in your throat obstructing your airway and your mouth trying hard to get air through them.
Occasional snoring is common and even natural. Excessive or disruptive snoring may lead to additional sleep problems like obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). If there are significant pauses in your breathing while you sleep, this could be your body trapping air from your brain – one of the most fatal signs of sleep apnea.
Sleep Apnea and Health Risks
There are a wide variety of sleep apnea symptoms, and the more severe they become, the more susceptible you will be to various health risks. Untreated sleep apnea can be increasingly dangerous to your lungs, heart, and brain. Not only does it interrupt your cycles of sleep, but it can stop oxygen from reaching vital parts of your body.
Untreated sleep apnea is associated with the following health risks:
- Diabetes
- Heart failure
- Strokes
- Irregular heartbeat
- Fatigue during the day
- Stress and anxiety
The type of treatment you can invest in will depend on the severity of your sleep apnea and whether or not you have been previously diagnosed. Your doctor may want to implement a sleeping test to measure exactly what you need.
What Are the Symptoms of Sleep Apnea?
Snoring is not the only indicator that you may have sleep apnea. Other signs and symptoms may be present, such as:
- Waking up with a dry mouth
- Snoring very loudly and constantly
- Irritability during the day
- Headaches in the morning
- Gasping for air in the middle of the night
- Difficulty breathing while you sleep (as mentioned by your sleeping partner)
If you sleep alone, it can be difficult to diagnose the symptoms of sleep apnea. Schedule an appointment with your sleep specialist to learn about the best next steps to take.
Getting Treatment for Sleep Apnea
Your doctor may prescribe a lifelong treatment to keep the symptoms of sleep apnea at bay. Oral appliances like a mouthguard can keep your mouth at a good position to steadily intake air. You may be a good candidate for a CPAP machine, which provides constant air through a mask you wear on your mouth when you go to bed.
If the originally prescribed treatment options do not work, you may need to discuss surgical options. You can invest in a minimally invasive procedure that may help to open up your airways and let you breathe easily.
Solve Your Snoring Issues Today!
If you or your partner have reported loud snoring, it may be a good time to visit your sleep specialist for a diagnosis. Your local New York sleep institute can provide viable information and the best treatment plans to help you get your sleep apnea under control. Get in touch with us today to schedule your one-on-one consultation!
