Many people consider snoring to be just a harmless but annoying nighttime habit. However, expert Aaron Fuhrman points out that it can actually signal a much more serious health problem. , according to him, there are certain cases in which you should see a doctor immediately.
- Snoring can signal obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a potentially serious medical condition.
- The disease causes repeated cessation of breathing during sleep.
- Sleep apnea increases the risk of stroke, type 2 diabetes and metabolic disorders.
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a condition in which the airways repeatedly close during sleep, stopping breathing completely for short periods of time. Many cases remain undiagnosed for years because people often mistake the symptoms of the disease for normal fatigue or stress.
Scientific studies have linked this condition to an increased risk of stroke, type 2 diabetes and various metabolic problems. Disturbed breathing and repeated drops in the level of oxygen in the blood, which are typical for sleep apnea, additionally burden the cardiovascular system. “If left untreated for years, this problem can significantly affect your overall health. The good news is that apnea is treatable. But first, you have to know you have it.” Fuhrman said.
Snoring doesn’t have to be harmless. (illustrative photo)
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To help people differentiate between normal snoring and sleep apnea, an expert has identified seven warning signs you should definitely not ignore. “Snoring alone does not necessarily mean that something is wrong, but when certain specific patterns are added to it, you should pay attention,” he added.
Loud, persistent snoring
If your snoring is so loud that it disturbs your partner and occurs most nights of the week, it could be one of the primary symptoms of sleep apnea.. “Occasional and silent snoring after a hard day or after a glass of alcohol is usually not a cause for concern, but if it occurs frequently, that is another matter. This usually indicates that the airways are under a lot of pressure during sleep,” Fuhrman explained.
Choking, gasping or grunting
When the airway is completely blocked, the person wakes up for a while to allow breathing to resume. Then it happens that the sleeping person starts making sounds similar to choking, gasping for breath or loud grunting. The bed partner is usually the first to notice these episodes, as the person experiencing them may not remember it at all in the morning.
Waking up with a headache, especially if it goes away on its own within an hour or two, could be a sign that your body’s oxygen levels have dropped significantly during the night.. When breathing is repeatedly disrupted during sleep, carbon dioxide can build up in the blood, causing unwanted dilation of blood vessels in the brain. This is what causes a dull and persistent morning headache.
Morning headaches may be related to sleep apnea. (illustrative photo)
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iStock
Intense daytime fatigue
It’s perfectly normal to feel tired after a restless night, but if you don’t have enough energy even after a long night’s sleep, you should seek professional help. Apnea prevents the body from entering the deep, restorative stages of sleep, so patients can wake up after eight hours in bed feeling like they haven’t rested at all. “Many people just assume they’re always tired. They attribute it to a busy lifestyle or getting older, but it could be something much more serious.” emphasized the expert.
Mood swings or increased irritability
Poor quality sleep significantly disrupts emotional stability. So people with undiagnosed sleep apnea often experience increased irritability, bad moods and get upset much more easily than usual.. The problem is that both patients and doctors mistakenly associate these symptoms with anxiety or depression in some cases.
Problems with concentration
Difficulty maintaining attention, forgetting common things or so-called “brain fog” during the day can be a direct result of obstructive sleep apnea. The brain consolidates memories and processes information during deep sleep, while the disease repeatedly disrupts this phase.
Every time you stop breathing during the night, the body responds with a small flush of stress hormones, which immediately increases blood pressure. Over time, this repetitive pattern can lead to chronic hypertension, which puts excessive strain on the heart and blood vessels.
