Why Snoring is Bad

There are people who snore every night. Usually, it is no big deal. Snoring itself has no negative side effects or downsides for the person snoring so there is no reason to worry. At least, that is the case for most people and most situations. Sometimes, however, snoring is a bad thing. For some, it is a sign of a more serious problem. Other people may find that their snoring affects the people in their life. While you might not see it as a concern at first, you have to understand more about it to get an idea of how bad snoring can be.

Snoring is sometimes a sign of a deeper issue. Weight, illness, a blocked passage, or problems with the way you sleep may all cause snoring. In these cases, fixing the cause will stop the snoring. Extra weight may increase the chance that you will snore and it may also increase the risk of sleep apnea, which could put your life at risk on top of the risks of extra weight. With an illness or blockage, you may have something wrong that requires medical intervention. Speaking to a doctor will help you to find a solution that will improve your health and stop the snoring completely, or at least reduce its severity.

Snoring is not always snoring. For some, the problem is actually sleep apnea. Sleep apnea appears with irregular breathing while snoring and there are abnormal sounds, such as gasps and coughs. It can also affect your general attitude and wellness, leaving you feeling exhausted. You may find that you are drowsy all day or that you are irritable. Along with changes in behavior and mood, sleep apnea can cause you to stop breathing in your sleep. It puts your life at risk and it is something that a doctor can help you to treat. Speak with a medical professional right away if you think that you have sleep apnea.

It is not only you that snoring affects. While your own snoring may leave you bothered at times, it is as bad for your sleeping partner. With severe snoring, your sleeping partner cannot sleep. They may find it nearly impossible to stay asleep all night or even fall asleep at all. This can put a strain on your relationship. Regardless of how good everything is going in other areas of your relationship, the inability to sleep can leave both of you annoyed, frustrated, and wanting out.

Is Snoring More Than Just a Sleep Problem?

(NewsUSA) – Do you have a partner that constantly complains about your snoring? Do you wake up feeling fatigued even though you slept all night long? If so, you may have more than a noise complaint on your hands. Snoring is no laughing matter. In fact, 50 to 60 percent of people who snore have a condition called obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which can be life-threatening if left untreated.

This was the case for Geoff Malecha, a retired computer professional. For most of his adult life, Geoff maintained a strict workout regimen and was quite healthy. A few years ago, his wife, Cassie, began to notice something alarming in Geoff’s sleeping patterns. He would frequently snore and even stop breathing during sleep. As the situation progressed, Geoff would often choke in his sleep and awaken in a panic, gasping for breath. According to the American Sleep Apnea Association (ASAA), one of the main signs of OSA may be a complaint by your bed partner that you snore loudly or that you stop breathing repeatedly while you’re asleep.
“That choking and gasping really got my attention,” Geoff said. “It finally got me to finally see a physician about what was happening.”

Then, the answer was delivered. While reviewing the results of his sleep study, Geoff was told that he stopped breathing a total of 125 times per hour. Obstructive sleep apnea doesn’t just leave you tired from a non-restful night of sleep. When you stop breathing, your heart beats faster, raising your blood pressure and increasing your chances of heart attack and stroke. Insufficient sleep can affect your job performance and ability to perform basic functions, like driving a car.

“My doctor recommended I begin continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment,” Geoff recalled.
The respiratory therapist fitted Geoff with a mask, and soon Geoff found himself waking up in the morning feeling like a new person. From then on, Geoff committed himself to using his CPAP device every night for a better night’s sleep.

“One of my main concerns when diagnosed with sleep apnea was how I would feel (or my wife might feel) having a mask on my face, hooked by a tube to a machine for the rest of my life. But because it has worked so well for both of us, my wife and I have accepted the device and have adapted our lives to include it. I take it everywhere because I do not want to try to sleep anywhere without it. It is just like brushing my teeth and putting on my pajamas,” said Geoff.

“I sleep better because he sleeps better,” said Cassie. I don’t wake up during the night because he’s choking or not breathing or making strange gasping sounds. That used to be awful and made me really anxious. I don’t think I ever really got into a deep sleep because I was always worried about whether Geoff was breathing. Now I have peace of mind about my husband’s health, and I sleep much better as a result.”
Sleep apnea is not complicated. It is an easily managed condition that won’t slow you down.
Being motivated to better your health is essential in your journey to a restful night’s sleep.