Snoring is a common problem that many people face every day. Either they snore and don’t even realize it, or their partner is kept awake all night by their incessant snoring. Did you know that there have even been reports of couples getting divorced due to snoring?!
It is believed that about 40 percent of women and 60 percent of men will snore when they reach age 60. And there are plenty of people out there who snore their whole lives. In fact, snoring is not just an adult problem. Some children suffer from this nighttime sleep interrupter as well. So, why is snoring a big deal – aside from the fact that it keeps everyone awake?
About 35 percent of those who snore are actually suffering from a medical condition called obstructive sleep apnea. This particular sleep apnea is characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep. This leads to a lack of oxygen being transported to the brain during sleep, causing the body to endure the sensation of suffocating momentarily throughout the night.
So, why should you really care about sleep apnea?
The loud snort you make when snoring is not something you should write off as normal. Most people who have snored all their life think this is an annoying but normal habit – it’s not. In reality, this gasping for air is causing serious medical issues because the brain is not getting the oxygen it needs.
Now, that’s not even where the problem stops.
Sleep apnea will also interrupt your sleep and probably that of your bedmate or other people around you. Having to wake up often during your sleep will greatly affect your sleep quality. Poor sleep in itself is another issue that can cause subsequent medical issues and conditions the longer it occurs.
That’s still not all!
There are other dangers that may arise from leaving your sleep apnea untreated for long. Some of these include stroke, dementia (due to brain damage) and heart attack, among others.
If you’ve written off your or your partner’s snoring as normal and you’re not that worried about your sleep quality, it’s time to think twice. Leaving sleep apnea untreated puts you or your loved one at risk for serious medical complications.
Don’t leave your sleep apnea untreated. Take action today. Call Dr. Buck David at 425-361-0968 for more information on sleep apnea and other related conditions.