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It’s a scene familiar to many: you wake up in the morning, and blearily open your eyes. What impact is snoring going to have on your day today? Another round of arguing with your sleep deprived partner? A full day of naps? Snoring is seen as harmless by many – but it could be a sign of OSA. And when it’s left untreated, it can be dangerous.
With snorers three times as likely to suffer health issues compared to non-snorers, there’s a whole host of problems attached to this night-time habit.
What is Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA)?
Lots of people snore. Often, it’s harmless, and just a simple annoyance for the snorer’s partner. But in many cases of snoring, it can be a sign of something more serious. For OSA sufferers, the airway becomes so narrow that the walls of the airway stick together and close up. This usually happens for around 10-30 seconds at a time, but can occur for longer – sometimes up to 50 times an hour or even more.
When the airway finally opens up again, you might produce a loud, violent snore. This is known as an apnoea. Throughout the night, your body will constantly come out of deep sleep in order to help you breathe – doctors call this an “arousal”. This is what causes you to feel sleepy the next day. OSA can cause serious health problems if left untreated, including risk of stroke, heart disease and hypertension.
The benefits of tackling snoring and OSA
Wake up refreshed
For some OSA sufferers, waking up with a chronic headache is a daily occurrence. These headaches could be caused by a lack of sleep or stress. It could also be a result of inconsistent levels of oxygen in the bloodstream.
A peaceful relationship
Snoring can often put a strain on relationships. With more than 25% of couples opting to sleep in a different room to get better sleep, dealing with your snoring could bring you back together again.
More energy
Daytime fatigue is all too common when your sleep is disrupted by OSA. You may think that you can just power through the day, but it can have serious consequences. High concentration activities such as driving could prove fatal.
Lower chance of health complications
Snorers are more prone to heart disease. Studies have shown that chronic snorers and sleep apnoea sufferers are twice as likely to have heart disease than people who don’t snore. Treatment can drastically reduce the chances of having a heart attack.
How to stop snoring
Start by making lifestyle changes that could be causing your night-time noise. This could range from quitting smoking, losing weight to reducing alcohol consumption. If these changes don’t have much of an effect, a snoring relief product could help.
Many people don’t realise that there are different types of snoring. This is why some products will work better for you than others. Snoreeze products treat the three main types of snoring:
Everyday snoring
When you sleep, your airway structure and soft tissues relax. This tissue then dehydrates and vibrates when you breathe, causing snoring.
For this type of snoring, try the Throat Spray, Oral Strips or Lozenges.
Snoring with congestion
Cold and allergies like hay fever are a common cause of snoring. When you have a cold (or allergic reaction), your nasal tissue swells causing airflow through the nose to be blocked or restricted. This narrows your airway so the air you breathe travels faster, further dehydrating the tissue. This may force you to breathe through your mouth, leading to a dry mouth and snoring.
If this sounds familiar, the Nasal Spray or Nasal Strips could work well for you.
Loud snoring and OSA
As mentioned earlier, OSA causes your airway to temporarily close, stopping you from being able to breathe. It can dramatically affect your quality of sleep and your overall health.
CPAP is often used as a treatment for OSA, but the NHS also recommends oral devices as an option for mild-to-moderate sleep apnoea. You should always visit your doctor if you suspect you have OSA, as they’ll be able to recommend the best treatment for you. If they advise that an oral device is suitable, try the Snoreeze Oral Device.
Start your journey to a snore-free life today.