Snoring... is it really just a harmless annoyance?

Snoring.

Is it just an annoyance to the person attempting to sleep beside the snorer or is it a sign of something more serious? If the snorer breathes and sleeps normally than it probably is only a problem for the people closest to them. It might be a significant problem though.

Many people consider snoring nothing more than a minor (or major) irritant but snoring can be a sign of larger problem. People who snore should get checked for sleep disorders such as sleep apnea and other sleep related breathing problems like upper airway resistance syndrome (UARS). Obstructive sleep apnea can wreak serious havoc on a person’s system by increasing their risk of things like heart attacks and strokes. It is not something to be ignored.

If you are a person attempting to sleep next to a snorer you can check for a few things that might indicate they have a medical problem. If you see them stop breathing for an abnormal amount of time or gasping that is certainly an indicator of a deeper issue. Jerking movements like leg kicking can also indicate a more serious problem such as restless leg syndrome. These are signs that the person should see a sleep specialist.

The snorer themselves may notice other symptoms such as difficulties waking up in the morning, not feeling fully rested, irritability, lack of focus, headaches and decreased libido. A sleep study can help the snorer discover if they have a medical issue.

Snoring can be treated with non-surgical things like behavioural changes ( losing weight, stopping smoking etc.), dental or nasal devices, a CPAP machine, and other over the counter products like nasal sprays and anti-snore pillows. The goal of most treatments is to clear whatever is blocking the breathing passage thereby clearing the airway and stopping the snoring.

If you snore be kind to yourself, and your partner, and get it checked out!