Snoring might not be something you factor into your overall oral or systemic health. For most people, it’s just a minor irritation, at worst, and only worth addressing if it annoys their sleeping partner. However, the truth is that chronic snoring can be much more problematic than people often give it credit for, and if left unaddressed, it can have a bigger impact than you realize. Today, we take a look at just a few ways in which unaddressed snoring could be a problem, especially if it indicates an underlying sleep disorder.
It can make breathing while you sleep harder
Snoring is often the cause of your airway passage growing more constricted, which is typically the result of oral and/or throat tissues collapsing into your airway while you sleep. The sound occurs because of the increased pressure of your breathing, which causes the walls in your throat to vibrate loudly. Yet, this also makes it harder for you to breathe at all, and as it occurs, you’ll have to work harder to receive less oxygen. This can have a compounding impact on your long-term cardiovascular health, leading to more serious health concerns later on.
It can interrupt your sleeping pattern
If you snore often enough, or loudly enough, you may end up waking yourself up in the middle of the night, possibly multiple times. This can interrupt your sleeping pattern, which can make it harder for you to reach deep, restful levels of sleep. If you snore chronically, then the impacts on your overall quality of sleep can be much more significant. This is especially true if your snoring is an indication of a more serious disorder known as obstructive sleep apnea.
It could be a sign of obstructive sleep apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that causes you to stop breathing when you sleep, which is caused by your oral and throat tissues completely blocking your airway. Loud snoring occurs while the blockage grows worse, which can make your snoring habit just a warning sign of the more significant sleep disorder. If so, then the impacts on your overall health can also be more significant, making it important to seek treatment to stop snoring and address sleep apnea.
Solve your snoring problem before it gets worse
Though it may seem like a relatively minor thing, your snoring habit could be a bigger problem than you realize. To learn more, schedule an appointment or initial consultation by calling Advanced Dental Concepts in Auburn Hills, MI, today at (248) 852-1820.
