Snoring is still often considered a sign of deep sleep by many people. In reality, snoring is not an indication of restful or quality sleep. In fact, when a person snores, they are experiencing a breathing disorder that can have serious consequences for their health.
You may be wondering: what negative effects can snoring cause, beyond the disruptive noise?
Snoring is more than just a loud noise that occurs when someone falls asleep. This sound — which often disturbs others or becomes a source of ridicule — is actually linked to several serious diseases, including heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes.
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View Product Free ConsultationThe connection between snoring and serious diseases may seem exaggerated, but it is not. Snoring can increase the risk of dangerous conditions and even worsen the health of those already affected. The relationship between snoring and serious diseases will be explored further in this article.
What Causes Snoring?
Before discussing the link between snoring and serious diseases, let's first take a closer look at what actually happens when a person snores.
Snoring is a condition in which a person produces a rough, noisy sound while sleeping. This occurs due to a narrowing of the airway, causing incoming air to vibrate the uvula during breathing and produce a snoring sound.
Airway narrowing occurs because the muscles surrounding the upper airway relax during sleep. As a result, the soft tissue on the roof of the airway drops, reducing the space for air to pass through.
The louder the snoring, the narrower the airway and the less oxygen enters the body. In more severe cases, the airway can become completely blocked, causing repeated episodes of breathing cessation known as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
So, snoring is not merely a matter of disruptive noise — more seriously, it can lead to a reduced oxygen supply in the body. This in turn can progress to OSA and increase the risk of various serious diseases.
Serious Diseases Associated with Snoring
The human body undergoes cell regeneration and repair during sleep; insufficient oxygen supply can hinder the recovery process and worsen the condition of those with comorbidities. The dangers of snoring may not be immediately visible, but they should not be underestimated. The following are some diseases associated with snoring:
Heart Disease
Snoring does not directly cause a heart attack, but it can be an early indicator of heart disease. When snoring occurs, blood vessels narrow as a reaction to the reduced oxygen supply the body receives. This can increase the risk of blockages in the blood vessels leading to the heart, particularly when combined with obesity and high cholesterol.
Hypertension
Snoring affects not only the heart but also blood pressure. The narrowing of blood vessels as the body's response to insufficient oxygen supply can raise blood pressure and lead to hypertension. This is also why hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are closely linked.
Stroke
Researchers from Henry Ford Hospital found that snoring can increase the risk of carotid artery thickening. The carotid artery is a major blood vessel responsible for supplying blood to the head. In severe cases, thickening of the carotid artery can block blood flow to the brain and cause a stroke.
Diabetes
The International Diabetes Foundation states that as many as 40% of people with OSA are also at risk of developing diabetes. This is because low blood oxygen levels trigger the brain to produce cortisol.
Cortisol is a stress hormone that can cause insulin resistance — the body's inability to use insulin effectively. As a result, blood sugar levels rise and can lead to diabetes.
Obesity
In 2013, the American Medical Association (AMA) declared that obesity is a disease requiring treatment and preventive measures. In relation to snoring, obesity and snoring have a mutually reinforcing relationship that affects each other.
Obesity enlarges the neck circumference, which directly contributes to airway narrowing. This narrowing in obese individuals causes them to snore loudly during sleep and is one of the key symptoms of OSA.
OSA then causes the body to become insufficiently rested and triggers the brain to produce leptin, a hormone that increases appetite. Unresolved obesity can ultimately contribute to a higher risk of serious disease complications.
Conclusion
Snoring is one of the symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a condition characterized by repeated breathing stoppages during sleep. People who snore generally have OSA and are at high risk for various serious diseases.
Consulting a doctor is the right step to promptly receive treatment for OSA. If you are advised to undergo a sleep study or need further information about PAP therapy devices to address snoring, you can contact Resindo Medika. Sleep Diagnostic Test or need further information about PAP therapy devices to address snoring, you can contact Resindo Medika.
Resindo Medika is the official distributor of ResMed and Somnomedics in Indonesia. Resindo Medika provides Sleep Diagnostic Test sleep diagnostic tests with high accuracy. You can undergo a sleep test at a hospital or in the comfort of your own home — easily, safely, and conveniently.
Accurate Sleep Diagnostic Test sleep study results will help your doctor gain a clearer picture of your condition and determine the most appropriate course of action to restore restful, quality sleep — free from snoring.
Sources:
Sleep Foundation: Snoring and Sleep. Accessed in 2022
Goodsomnia: Does Snoring Cause Heart Attacks?. Accessed in 2022
Specialist Clinics of Australia: The Link Between Snoring And Heart Disease. Accessed in 2022
Johns Hopkins Medicine: Carotid Artery Disease. Accessed in 2022
Goodsomnia: Diabetes And Snoring: A Dangerous Combination. Accessed in 2022
Sleep Foundation: How Weight Affects Sleep Apnea. Accessed in 2022
