Snoring is a common phenomenon. It is estimated that roughly 33% of men and 19% of women snore on a regular basis. Unfortunately, if you smoke or are regularly exposed to second-hand smoke you are more likely to experience snoring. So, do smokers snore more than non-smokers?
Do Smokers Snore More?
The general percentage of smokers who snore was measured at about 24%. While smoking did increase the risk of snoring in both sexes, the difference in rates was most noticeable in women who are significantly more likely to snore if they smoke.
Why Does Smoking Affect Snoring?
Currently, researchers argue that there are two potential reasons that smokers are more likely to have trouble with snoring.
First, smoking irritates the upper airways, causing inflammation. This inflammation tightens the airway, reducing the space available to traveling air. The combination of inflamed tissue and reduced space increases the likelihood of snoring.
Second, it is possible that overnight nicotine withdrawal could cause increased sleep instability. By changing the natural rhythms of your sleep, withdrawal could cause more frequent upper airway obstruction, causing snoring.
Why the Data Matters
Snoring can be an annoying habit, especially if you share a bedroom with someone else. However, that isn’t why there’s so much research surrounding snoring. Depending on the nature, cause, and frequency of your snoring, it could lead to serious health concerns.
The primary risk with snoring is chronic sleep disruption. The average adult needs about eight hours of consistent sleep every night in order to function at full capacity. We may not fully understand why sleep is so important to our bodies, but it is clear that sleep disruption has noticeable side effects that could put you in a dangerous situation.
The Trouble with Sleep Disruption
The occasional sleep disruption isn’t usually a big deal. However, if you’re waking up tired on a regular basis, you should talk to a sleep specialist in New York City. Waking up tired more than once a week can cause chronic fatigue.
Chronic fatigue isn’t immediately dangerous, but it’s a clear indication that your body is not receiving enough of one of its most crucial resources: rest. Without professional medical intervention you will begin to experience worsening mental and physical side effects.
The Side Effects of Chronic Fatigue
Chronic fatigue may cause a number of side effects. Some of the most common side effects include:
- Mood swings
- Irritability
- Loss of concentration
- Decreased memory
- Headaches
- Dizziness
All of these side effects are unpleasant. They may negatively impact your work performance and your personal relationships. With that said, this list does not even cover the most dangerous side effect of chronic fatigue.
If your snoring is disrupting your sleep multiple nights a week, you may start to doze off during the day. Knocking out at your desk is unlikely to cause you physical harm, but there is no way to guarantee where or when you will fall asleep. If you are driving or operating potentially dangerous machinery, chronic fatigue could literally threaten your life.
Long Term Risks
Without treatment chronic fatigue has the ability to affect the long-term health of your heart and your brain. Cardiac failure and loss of cognitive function both show correlations with chronic fatigue. The relationship is not completely understood, but the existing research is enough to take regular sleep disruption seriously.
Don’t risk your current or future health. Don’t put your livelihood or your relationships on the line. If you’re showing signs of chronic fatigue related to snoring, then you need to talk to your snoring doctor in New York City. Better sleep could be a few lifestyle changes and a medical device away.
