What Causes Snoring and Associated Sleeping Disorders? Understanding the Underlying Issues
Several things can cause snoring, from your sleeping position to how your tongue falls back into your throat when you sleep.
Snoring is often caused by something blocking the airflow through your nose and mouth. This can be anything from excess weight around the neck to nasal congestion. Sleeping on your back can also cause snoring, allowing the tongue to fall back into the throat and block the airway.
If you snore occasionally and it doesn’t bother you or your partner, there’s no need to worry. However, if you find that it’s a regular occurrence impacting your sleep quality, it’s worth speaking to a doctor to rule out any underlying health conditions.
Snoring and OSA can cause problems with sleeping, daytime fatigue, and mood disorders such as depression.
Snoring causes tension headaches and neck pain because it causes muscle tension around your neck and jawline and congestion in other body parts such as the lungs, heart rate, etc.
What are the Signs That Snoring is Dangerous?
Sleep Apnea: A Serious Condition Linked to Snoring
Sleep apnea is when a person’s breathing repeatedly stops during sleep. This occurs when the throat muscles collapse and block the airway. OSA can also lead to other health problems, and it is important to visit a dentist in Bayside for treatment.
Dry Mouth or Sore Throat: Possible Indicators of Underlying Problems
When you snore, your mouth and throat muscles relax and collapse. This narrowing of your airway can cause your mouth to become dry. In addition, when you sleep, your body produces less saliva. This combination of factors can lead to a very dry mouth when you wake up in the morning.
Chest Pain: A Potentially Serious Sign to Address
When you snore, your airway becomes obstructed. This can cause your chest muscles to contract and pressure your heart. The added pressure on your heart can lead to chest pain. In some cases, snoring can also cause arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats), leading to chest pain.
Morning Headaches and Poor Concentration: Signs of Disrupted Sleep
People who snore four or more nights per week were more likely to report symptoms of poor concentration, such as difficulty paying attention and remembering things, than those who didn’t snore. They were also more likely to report feeling tired during the day.
So if you’re struggling to concentrate at work or feel like you’re always tired, it could be worth checking whether your snoring is to blame.
Morning headaches are a common side effect of snoring. Snoring can cause sleep deprivation, which in turn causes headaches. A headache indicates that you may be experiencing too much stress and anxiety during the day. It makes sense that when your body is deprived of proper rest, it will react by reacting with a headache or other symptoms like nausea and fatigue.
Weight Gain: A Possible Consequence of Chronic Snoring
If you are snoring, then chances are that you will gain weight. This is because your body doesn’t get enough oxygen when you sleep, resulting in a lack of energy and fatigue. This can lead to poor sleeping patterns, eventually leading to weight gain over time. The more disturbed your sleep is by snoring, the higher your chances are of gaining extra kilos over time.
How to Address and Manage the Dangerous Signs of Snoring? Effective Strategies for Better Sleep
If you notice the symptoms mentioned above, you must seek snoring treatment near you or talk to your doctor. However, some things can reduce the risk of these dangerous signs occurring.
- Try sleeping on your side to prevent the airways from closing up, and also keep them open so they can provide enough oxygen to keep you awake.
- Use a pillow to prop up your head and neck, as it can help keep your airway open and reduce the risk of snoring.
- Avoid alcohol before bedtime. Alcohol relaxes the throat and makes snoring more likely.
- Try a nasal strip or an anti-snoring mouthpiece. These devices can help to keep your airway open and reduce the risk of snoring.
Schedule an Appointment to Discuss Your Snoring Concerns and Explore Treatment Options
Visit Bayside Family Dentistry for more information about snoring and how to prevent it.
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