If you think snoring is normal, you are mistaken. When air cannot pass properly through nose or mouth, a hoarse sound is produced and this phenomenon is called snoring. A lot of people snore while sleeping which could be normal to high but chronic snoring is a sign of a chronic condition named obstructive sleep apnoea. This can have a long-term impact on other parts of the body especially lungs and heart. We spoke to different doctors to understand how snoring affects heart and lungs. Scroll down to read what they have to say.
Dr. Sudharshan KS, Consultant Pulmonologist, Fortis Hospital, Cunningham Road, Bangalore explains, “all snorers may not have sleep apnoea but one should get themselves checked if one has choking, snoring, insomnia and excessive daytime sleepiness etc. Chronic snoring with sleep apnoea causes less oxygen supply to vital organs like the lungs, heart, and brain which leads to health issues like uncontrolled hypertension, early and uncontrolled diabetes, lack of interest in work, and road traffic accidents.”
Impact of chronic snoring on the heart
More severe conditions like pulmonary arterial hypertension, high heart failure, stroke, sudden cardiac arrest, and irregular heartbeats can be caused in patients who are not diagnosed early. Important causative factors of this disease are obesity, irregular sleep habits, jaw abnormalities, and chronic adenoids and tonsillitis in children.”
Dr. A Jayachandra, Clinical Director, Head of Department, and Senior Interventional Pulmonologist, CARE Hospitals, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad shares that snoring during sleep occurs when there is narrowing or obstruction of air passages, especially in the upper respiratory tract. This often happens with people who are obese and has a significant effect on the heart and lungs.
Snoring and sleep-related issues
There is a high chance of a drop in oxygen levels and compromised sleep quality when a person snores and in severe cases, they experience a choking effect that results in sudden arousal and disturbs the sleep pattern. The person will often be tired, lethargic, and sleepy which will hamper their professional and personal life.
One of the common side effects they develop is hypertension. Besides, chronic can sometimes also trigger a series of cardiac events and cause sudden death.
How to control chronic snoring?
It is a myth that you cannot get rid of snoring. With the right clinical approach and treatment, it is possible to manage snoring.
To resolve the snoring, one may require the usage of positive airway pressure devices like Continuous Positive airway pressure devices (CPAP) and Bilevel Positive airway pressure devices (BiPAP) which will help the person breathe better while sleeping and reduces snoring. Depending on the cause of the snoring some people may also require a surgical correction. Additionally, a change in lifestyle, exercising regularly, correcting bad posture, and treating allergies can aid in boosting sleep quality and reducing the episodes of snoring.
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