Snoring is still a troublesome and irritating problem. However, despite the fact that we are ashamed of snoring, hardly anyone seriously thinks about treating it. To convince doubters that snoring is a serious problem that, if left untreated for a long time, can lead to serious diseases, we present 11 dangerous health effects caused by sleep apnea.
- Heart attack risk.Research confirms the negative impact of snoring on the heart. The intensity of sleep apnea is associated with the risk of carotid atherosclerosis, which most often results in a stroke. The louder and longer the sound of snoring, the greater the risk of changes in the brain leading to a stroke.
- Cardiovascular disease.Unfortunately, snoring is associated with cardiovascular disease. People with sleep apnea are twice as likely to have a heart attack. Appropriate treatment significantly reduces this risk, thanks to which hypertension and coronary artery disease do not pose a threat to life.
- Heart disorders.Long-term snoring can lead to heart problems. Untreated sleep apnea leads to atrial fibrillation and irregular heart beats. According to cardiologists, apnea has a negative impact on the work and rhythm of the heart because during apnea, the atrium located on the left side of the chest expands and remains in this state for a long time.
- Esophageal reflux.Reflex disease is very common in people with sleep apnea. The throat opens and closes abnormally during apnea. The air entering the lungs at this time causes pressure fluctuations that lift the food in the stomach back into the esophagus. The formation of reflexes and apnea at the same time is usually associated with being overweight. When a person goes on a slimming diet and their weight drops, their reflexes also decrease.
- Somnolence.Snoring makes you sleepy and tired during the day. These are not one-off cases of “breaking” the night, but permanent lack of sleep. Snoring generates restless sleep, either you wake up to your own snoring sound or you are woken up by someone lying next to you who can’t stand it. Intensified drowsiness the next day also threatens the patient’s environment. To prove this, a study was conducted with 618 participants with over 10 years of experience behind the wheel. Studies have shown that people who suffer from sleep apnea are several times more likely to be involved in road accidents, especially when they are alone in the car.
- Depression.Constant lack of sleep, bad mood can lead to serious changes in the psyche. It has been proven that people struggling with constant fatigue are more likely to develop depression. Doctors have known for a long time that apnea and sleep disorders result in the development of depression, so you need to see a specialist relatively early to prevent this dangerous disease.
- Headache.Snoring causes a lower quality of life. Not only does it threaten our heart, it can permanently worsen our well-being, it also generates a nagging headache. More than three-quarters of those diagnosed with apnea complained of morning headaches. During apnea, the whole body receives less air, the brain is also not properly oxygenated, hence the pain that often lasts until the afternoon.
- Bladder problems.Men with sleep apnea over 55 who wake up at least 3 times a night to use the restroom have bladder problems. For some, this may mean a complete lack of control over bed-wetting. Such problems do not mean at all that the bladder has caught a cold. Long-term untreated apnea and urinary incontinence can lead to an enlarged prostate gland.
- Low quality of sex life.Snoring negatively affects the quality of sex life. Fortunately, snoring does not directly affect the effectiveness of an erection. Men tired of regular, intermittent sleep simply do not feel like sexual activity. The same applies to women who have a significant decrease in libido.
- Fetal complications.Although the relationship between snoring and pregnancy is not fully proven, it is not surprising that a woman suffering from sleep disorders during pregnancy should see a doctor. Lack of sleep, fatigue, and at the same time irritability do not have a good effect on the development of the fetus.
- Overweight.More than half of people with sleep apnea are overweight. This is often due to the extra weight around the neck caused by excess fat, and this fat makes breathing difficult. The comforting thing is that getting rid of the weighing kilograms significantly relieves snoring. If you are overweight and start snoring, consult a dietician.