Wondering how snoring affects sleep? Long-term snoring which interrupts sleep can have immediate health consequences such as foggy brains, and an inability to concentrate. Left unchecked, lack of sleep from snoring can lead to more severe health consequences such as heart disease, and high blood pressure.
Snoring can affect anyone from any walk of life and at any age. Men are most likely to be snorers, but the condition is quite common in women as well.
For habitual snorers anti-snoring devices may be necessary to ensure a good night’s sleep and lessen the risk of long-term health problems developing.
What can cause snoring?
Anatomically speaking, snoring is the result of a partially closed upper airway (the nose and throat). During sleep, the neck muscles become relaxed, however, in some people, they relax a little too much, with the result that upper airway partially closes and narrows to the point that the flow of air to the lungs is restricted.
There are many conditions which can obstruct the airway and cause snoring. Enlarged tonsils, excess weight stored around the neck area, the shape of one’s jaw or nose are all able to bring about snoring.
A deviated septum and other deformities in the nose such as nasal polyps can also create significant enough obstruction to the airflow to start a person snoring.
How snoring affects sleep
Recent sleep studies have shed light on exactly how snoring affects sleep. A study conducted on 30 pairs of twins have lead researchers to believe that less than 7 hours of sleep will have negative consequences on our long-term health. [link]
By comparing the cell functions of the twins – with one spending 90 minutes less time sleeping than the other – the cell function in the sleep-deprived twin was like someone ten years older.
The mitochondrial DNA replication seemed to be hampered by the lack of sleep. When more mitochondrial DNA copies are present, cell functions improve, and this is what gives us the feeling of being well rested and refreshed.
Sleep deprivation can also severely impact how we perform at work and life in general. We may become moody, quick-tempered, and emotional – with chronic sleep deprivation often leading to depression.
Left unchecked our sleepless nights will begin to weaken our immune system and make us more vulnerable to illnesses such as the common cold.
While many snorers are blissfully unaware of their raucous night-noises, their partners, unfortunately, are not. Naturally, this level of being kept awake every night can put tremendous strain on a relationship, especially if there is nowhere in the house in which to escape.
For more information on how anti-snoring devices can improve your life, work, relationships, and health, please head on over to the sleep health section of our website. Alternatively, call us on 07 5370 9323 to discuss how an anti-snoring device may be able to help you get a better night’s sleep.
