Snoring – learn the facts and myths about it!

The problem of snoring affects many people, regardless of age or gender. For the snorers themselves, the problem is not burdensome, but for their partners – yes. Each of us knows what snoring is, but do we know everything about this troublesome problem? It is worth getting to know a few facts and dispel myths about snoring.

1. Snoring is rare – MYTHIt is a common problem affecting men, women and children of all ages. However, the group of people who snore more often are men. In the group of people before the age of 25-30, every fourth man and every twentieth woman snore. Older people aged 55-60 snore much more often – about 60% of men and about 40% of women.
2. Snoring cannot be cured – MYTHPharmaceuticals are available on the market that are helpful in the case of diagnosed causes of snoring. These are edematous changes and chronic inflammatory changes. In people with impaired nasal breathing, straightening of the nasal septum, reduction of the nasal turbinates and removal of nasal polyps are used. The causes of snoring may be in the throat – then the palatine tonsils and the soft palate are reduced.
3. Snoring is just a sound made by a sleeping person – it is not harmful to him – MYTHSnoring while you sleep can be a symptom of a serious disease that affects your entire body.
4. Snoring can be a family trait – parents snore, so the child will snore too – FACTSnoring itself is not hereditary, but changes in the structure of the upper respiratory tract of the nose or throat are hereditary.
5. Mom affects snoring – FACTIf it occurs in obese people – you can reduce body weight, because overweight people often have this problem. It is also advisable to quit smoking and avoid alcohol, sedatives and sleeping pills before falling asleep. We should also avoid excessive physical exertion before bedtime.
6. Snoring is not a health problem – FALSEDuring snoring, air is forced under high pressure into the constricted airways, causing the oxygen in the body to drop during pauses in breathing. Finally, there is a sudden, forceful inhalation that equalizes the oxygen level. This process is associated with a great effort of the body and stress. This means that sleep time is not a rest for the body, which means that we are not rested and refreshed in the morning. Long-term snoring leads to a significant reduction in our efficiency during the day, causing frustration and stress. For people whose work is related to, for example, operating machinery, driving vehicles, activities requiring focus and concentration, the effects of lack of sleep can be dangerous. At the same time, there may be problems with remembering, tendency to depression, anxiety, reduced potency and libido. Another problem may be heart disease such as high blood pressure, ischemic heart disease or heart arrhythmia, increasing the risk of stroke.