Snoring affects your health in many ways, from increasing your chances of getting heart disease to emotionally distancing you from your partner (Studies show that there is a 10000% chance you’ll get kicked out of bed and end up sleeping on the couch. Ok, so that’s not a real study, but it’s probably not far from the truth.) The quality of your sleep is directly affected by your snoring, which can cause a slew of nasty side effects.
What Side Effects Does Snoring Cause?
Snoring and sleep deprivation can cause many side effects from how you function during the day to your likelihood of developing diseases. Some of the most common side effects caused by snoring include:
● Daytime sleepiness – When you snore, you will not get as much oxygen as you would if you didn’t have any obstruction when breathing, and you may even wake up throughout the night. You may notice that you are sleepier in the daytime, especially if you are snoring because of seasonal issues, like allergies, or because you drank alcohol the night before.
● Changes in mood – Sleep deprivation can cause more than just sleepiness; changes in mood are common. Snoring and sleep deprivation can cause increased anger, aggression, and sadness. If you’ve noticed that you’re more irritable than usual, snoring might be the culprit. If you experience any sudden mood changes, it’s important to make a visit to a medical professional right away to rule out any other medical conditions.
● Difficulty concentrating – Snoring can affect your health (and job!) by making it difficult to concentrate.
● Higher risk for high blood pressure and heart conditions – Snoring puts you at a
higher risk for high blood pressure and other heart conditions. This may be because during a normal sleep cycle, your blood pressure goes down, but with interrupted sleep (which may be caused by snoring), your blood pressure stays higher for a longer period of time.
● Higher risk for stroke – If you notice that your blood pressure is rising, so is your risk for having a stroke. High blood pressure increases your risk for stroke no matter what the cause, so if you suspect your snoring is causing your blood pressure to rise, it’s time to get it under control!
● Increased risk of motor vehicle accidents – According to the National Highway Traffic Administration, nearly 800 people died in 2017 due to drowsy driving, and there were nearly 100,000 accidents where the police reported drowsy drivers, however these numbers probably don’t show the true scope of the problem, since there is no easy “test” to show if someone is sleep deprived, like there is for drugs or alcohol.
How Can I Stop Snoring?
Snoring doesn’t have to be a permanent condition. With advances in sleep studies and medical devices, you can reduce or even stop your snoring. (Get that pillow and blanket off the couch and march yourself back into your bedroom!)
Changes you can make to decrease snoring
include:
● Lose weight – It’s a vicious cycle; losing sleep can cause weight gain and a lack of energy, and increased weight also makes snoring worse. ( That was my excuse, even before I started snoring – come to find out it’s true. ) Break the pattern, and start exercising and eating better to lose any excess weight. Even if you are only 20 pounds overweight, losing excess fat can make a huge difference in the level of your snoring.
● Abstain from alcohol – Alcohol can cause snoring even in those who don’t usually snore, and makes snoring worse in those who do, due to the way alcohol relaxes muscles. If you notice that your spouse complains about your snoring more after a night out, you may want to abstain from alcohol. If your spouse complains about everything, well, then, you have a different problem.
● Use a snoring mouthpiece – Using a snoring mouthpiece, such as ZQuiet , can position your lower jaw forward, or keep your tongue from falling back into your throat, which may stop your snoring.
● Treat allergies – Sometimes, snoring is caused by allergies, which can make your airways swollen. If you have seasonal allergies, ask your doctor about medications that work to reduce inflammation (even while you’re sleeping).
● Get prescribed a CPAP machine – If you suspect that your snoring is caused by
obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA, you should have a sleep study done to see if you need a CPAP machine, which will keep your airway open at night. If they do not stop your snoring, you may want to use a chin strap alongside your CPAP machine, to force your breathing through your nose.
● Use a chin strap or nasal dilator – Using a chin strap, nasal dilator, or both , with or without other aids such as a CPAP machine or snoring mouthpiece , may help alleviate your snoring by encouraging you to breathe through your nose. Snoring is often depicted in pop culture in comic strips, cartoons, movies, and sitcoms as an amusing, funny habit (usually depicting a bumbling, thick-headed character. I think my wife might be writing these scripts in her free time.) In ‘real life’ however, snoring can be a serious problem and cause serious complications. If you are snoring, or suspect you are snoring, make an appointment with your doctor to rule out any serious medical conditions before attempting to treat it on your own. Your sanity, your spouse, and possibly your neighbors, will thank you!
This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This advice is not meant to take the place of medical advice from your doctor. Always speak with your doctor before implementing supplements, devices, or medications into your wellness plan.