Most of us occasionally snore, and there is usually nothing wrong with this. However, chronic snoring can be a problem that you shouldn’t ignore. It could be a sign of other underlying health issues. Alternatively, it may lead to other problems. All in all, if you snore every night, here are some of the reasons you may want to start taking it seriously.
Snoring can be a sign of sleep apnea
This is one of the most serious conditions of which snoring is a symptom. Sleep apnea is when your breathing stops and starts throughout the night, usually as a result of muscles in the throat relaxing while you sleep. This can be a life threatening condition that in some cases can lead to heart failure if not treated.
What are some signs you may have sleep apnea? If you often wake up still feeling tired, it could be a sign. If a partner or someone else has reported that you regularly snore loudly and make spluttering or gasping sounds in the night, this could also be a sign of sleep apnea.
You may be able to overcome sleep apnea through lifestyle changes like quitting smoking or losing weight. In the meantime, it may be recommended that you wear a breathing mask attached to a CPAP machine while you sleep.
Snoring could be caused by a nasal obstruction
If something is obstructing the airways in your nose, this could potentially lead to snoring. Nasal polyps or a deviated septum could be the cause. Such nasal obstructions make it hard to breathe through the nose, forcing you to rely on mouth breathing, which could cause you to wake up with a dry mouth.
If your nose always feels stuffy but you don’t have a cold, it could be a sign that you have a nasal obstruction. Polyps and a deviated septum can sometimes also lead to facial pain or nosebleeds in some cases.
Removing this nasal obstruction may require a rhinoplasty. The best rhinoplasty surgeons will be able to recommend a procedure to fix the problem. Health problems like nasal polyps may not always need surgery and may be possible to clear up with steroid nose drops provided by a doctor.
Snoring could be a sign of unhealthy weight gain
Weight gain can lead to snoring and poor breathing at night. This can be the result of extra fat pressing down on your throat and chest. This in turn causes snoring.
Most of us already know if we need to lose weight. Taking steps to lose weight could help you to stop snoring, as well as preventing many other health problems.
Snoring can tear apart relationships
If you have a partner and they often complain about your snoring, you shouldn’t take it lightly. Your partner could start to get very frustrated if they cannot get a good night’s sleep because of your snoring. Some couples end up sleeping apart because of one partner snoring - which can lead to a lack of intimacy. Some long-term couples may be able to cope with this, but newer couples may find that it becomes a serious issue.
If your partner has been getting very frustrated about your snoring and it is damaging your relationship, you may want to see a doctor to diagnose it. Alternatively, you can try various at-home snoring treatments like anti-snore pillows and nasal strips.
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