How does snoring affect the rest of my body?

Snoring is a common problem that affects your sleep and sometimes even people nearby. Excessive alcohol, exhaustion, a cold or sinus problem, or underlying health condition or the size and shape of your dental arches being too small, that of which usually makes you snore.

A snore is heard from the vibration of the soft palate collapsing and  partially blocking your breathing while asleep. The tongue dropping back can also contribute to the airway blockage. While occasional bouts don’t have any long-lasting effects on your health, regular snorers most often suffer from other medical problems.

That’s why it’s better to check with your physician or dentist if you are a persistent snorer.

How snoring affects your body

Regular snoring is dangerous because it has multiple effects on your body. It’s because you don’t breathe well enough to oxygenate your blood supply when you sleep.

It leads to your suffering from lower oxygen saturation. Which over time can result in organ damage and pulmonary hypertension.

It also poses the following serious health risks:

Reduced blood oxygen levels

Most immediate result of the sleep disordered breathing. The body’s average blood oxygen level is about 94-98%.

Snoring for 30 seconds or more can reduce oxygen levels to 80% or less. As oxygen levels below 90% are dangerous, it shouldn’t be neglected, and needs your immediate attention.

Strokes

With sleep disorders having long term repercussions on your heart health, snorers face a high risk of suffering from strokes. It’s because while snoring blocks the airway, Fatty deposits can block the neck arteries and cause reduced blood flow to the brain. The additional decrease in oxygen saturation due to snoring on the blocked arteries is a high risk factor for strokes.

Accidents

There is a high chance of your falling asleep in the daytime because of sleep disorders leading to poor night time sleep. The chances of falling asleep are higher while doing activities that need more attention like driving.

Besides, you also risk falling asleep while running machinery at work, which can lead to accidents

Mental health problems

Yes, there is also a chance of sleep problems inducing mental health problems. It is because poor sleep reduces our body’s ability to heal and process the body chemistry needed for health and vitality . Which leads to irritability and mood swings, which in turn trigger anxiety and depression.

Sleeping disorders are treatable

So you see, regular snoring is a symptom of some underlying health problem that needs immediate attention. Besides, sleep disorders can over time strain relationships.

Seek medical health, dental medicine health if you or your loved one suffers from sleeping disorder breathing. Your doctor will recommend a sleep study, ascertain if you have sleep apnea, and decide on an appropriate course of action.