Loud, annoying, and obnoxious are often words associated with snoring, but here are three more to consider. Serious health problem.
Although they estimate 45% of “normal” adults snore at least occasionally, the American Academy of Head and Neck Surgery recommends that all heavy snorers should probably go see a doctor.
A doctor will be on the lookout for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) — a serious condition that results in multiple episodes of breathing pauses, lasting for more than 10 seconds at a time — which can lead to lower amounts of oxygen in the blood.
What else?
A study published in the journal Sleep found that those who snore loudly were at least twice as likely as non-snorers to have metabolic syndrome, a group of risk factors for heart disease diabetes and stroke.
To first step to snoozing your snore is usually making healthier lifestyle choices, such as losing weight, avoiding alcohol near bedtime, or sleeping in a different position.
If the problem still persists, doctors may recommend anything from an oral appliance, such as a mouth piece or breathing mask, to something a little more drastic like surgery.
Either way, it is important to talk to your doctor about chronic snoring to determine if it is indicative of a more serious health risk or treatment options so the person sleeping next to you doesn’t have to sleep with ear plugs anymore!