Here at Snore MD, we’re more than familiar with all of the different ways snoring can be a nuisance. Snoring can be disruptive to your sleep patterns and sleep cycles, it can cause dryness and soreness in the throat upon waking, and it can be very bothersome to a bed partner. However, what’s even worse than the annoyances snoring causes, are the life-threatening health complications that snoring can lead to.
February is Heart Disease Awareness Month, so this month, we dive into some of the risk factors and signs of Untreated Sleep Apnea.
Sometimes, snoring can be only a mild annoyance to the snorer and/or their bed partner, while other times, it can be a sign of a much more serious condition – Obstructive Sleep Apnea.
Left untreated, Obstructive Sleep Apnea has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease such as high blood pressure, cardiac arrhythmias, stroke and heart failure. Not everyone who snores has sleep apnea, but for many it’s one of the first signs of this potentially deadly condition. Obstructive Sleep Apnea affects 8-15% of adults in Canada.
Snoring vs. Sleep Apnea – What’s the difference?
Snoring is the result of tissues in the throat relaxing enough that there is a partial blockage of the throat. This vibration creates a sound, and depending on a person’s anatomy and other factors, the volume of that sound will vary. In people with sleep apnea, that partial blockage will progress into a complete blockage, and they will stop breathing for 10 seconds or more. When breathing is stopped, the body is no longer getting oxygen in. It releases stress hormones, which over time can lead to a plethora of very serious health problems – Diabetes, heart problems and even obesity are linked to untreated Obstructive Sleep Apnea.
What are the signs and symptoms of Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
While loud snoring is the hallmark sign of Obstructive Sleep Apnea, the condition has many lesser-known signs and symptoms. Do you wake up to use the washroom more than once per night? Do you wake up with morning headaches at least once per week? These are signs that you might be suffering from an undiagnosed breathing disorder in your sleep in addition to:
- Waking with a dry/sore throat
- Difficulty with concentration
- Insomnia
- Daytime sleepiness
How can I tell if my snoring is a sign of something more serious?
Left unchecked snoring can bring a lot of unnecessary stress and complications to life, but getting your snoring tested doesn’t have to! Your team of sleep experts at Snore MD are ready to help you get your snoring tested and treated, all from the comfort of your own home. By offering both in-person and virtual sleep test appointments, we’ve got you covered! It’s as easy as visiting our website and booking in for your free consultation.
