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Snoring Quick Self
Assessment
It is medical fact that snoring
can lead to serious health problems. However there are a number
of warning signs that you should look out for. If you answer
'yes' to question 1 and ''yes' to more than a few of the other
questions, then stay on the safe side and speak to your doctor
about your snoring.
- Do you snore loudly?
- Do you snore every night?
- Have you and your partner
started sleeping in separate rooms?
- Do you gasp for breathe during
sleep?
- Have you woken in the night
short of breath?
- Do you appear to hold your
breath during sleep?
- Are you restless during sleep?
- Do you have toilet visits
during the night?
- Do you suffer heartburn (indigestion)
at night?
- Do you wake with a morning
headaches?
- Do wake to feeling irritable?
- Do you feel excessively sleepy
in the day?
- Have you fallen asleep while
driving?
- Do you fall asleep in meetings?
- Are you tired upon waking?
- Reduced sexual activity?
- Do you suffer from High Blood
Pressure?
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The Health
Risks of Snoring
Author:
Michael Russell
Everyone knows that snoring can be a night time nuisance,
but did you know that there are several health risks associated
with snoring? Snoring might be more than an annoyance that
keeps your partner awake at night and it is important for
you to learn how to recognize whether or not you have a serious
health problem. Finally, in understanding both the reasons
for snoring and what your snoring may mean, if anything, in
terms of your health; you can take steps to make your home
quieter and improve your health.
An astounding number of people snore; in fact, one out of
every three individuals snores at some point during the time
that they sleep. While you sleep, your throat tissues and
the muscles in your mouth relax, including your soft palate
and your tongue. Air moves past the relaxed muscles and tissue.
Consequently, the relaxed tissue will vibrate each time you
take a breath and will result in snoring. Finally, the less
tense the tissue becomes, the louder one snores.
There are several reasons behind the occurrence of snoring.
For example, individuals that possess an extended uvula frequently
snore and obesity also plays a significant role in whether
an individual snores or not. Further, some people have naturally
larger tonsils and adenoids that can create an obstruction
in their throat while they sleep. In addition, a deviated
or crooked septum in one's nose, and minor illnesses that
produce a significant amount of congestion may also be at
the root of one's snoring. Plus, the use of alcohol can play
a significant role in whether or not an individual snores.
Sleep is the golden chain that ties health and
our bodies together.
Thomas Dekker (1572 - 1632)
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Conversely,
more serious health problems are associated with snoring.
For instance, if an individual has sleep apnea they are more
than likely to snore habitually. Sleep apnea is a rather serious
problem as it creates an obstruction in the throat so great
that it causes the sleeper to stop breathing for several seconds.
By instinct, when the sleeper cannot breathe, they wake up
to get the air they require, but such breaks in sleep can
result in significant health problems.
What is crucial for people to remember is that snoring is
not just a problem that is experienced by adults, therefore,
parents need to be concerned about their child's well being
if they habitually snore and it is loud and obnoxious or if
it is creating a problem for the child. Is your child easily
distracted in the classroom or at home? Losing sleep can be
the cause. Does your child seem tired all the time? Again,
interrupted sleep due to sleep apnea may be to blame. If you
notice such signs, it is time to visit a paediatrician.
Finally, all individuals that habitually snore should consider
paying a visit to their doctors because snoring, over time,
could lead to other problems. Such problems include diabetes,
increased blood pressure, heart trouble, stroke, and in some
severe cases, death. Thus, if your partner complains about
your snoring, perhaps you should consider visiting your doctor
for a check-up. In the end, you'll be healthier and your partner
will be happier!
Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Snoring
Snoring
and Smoking - Partners in Crime
How
to Stop Snoring - An Introductory Guide
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Snoring
and your health
Sleep disturbed
by snoring can lead to low energy levels, poor concentration,
irritability and mood swings, stress and lower immunity.
Sleeping in
separate rooms will affect the health of a relationship.
Snoring
can symptomatic of a more serious condition, known as sleep
apnea.
The
onset of sleep apnea is characterised by a heavy snorer's
rhythm being broken - they struggle for breath.
In cases of
sleep apnea, breathing can stop completely, cutting oxygen
to the brain, raising heart rate and rousing the snorer from
sleep.
Long term
associated problems with sleep apnea: high blood pressure,
brain damage.
Consult your
doctor about your snoring and ask him to consider if it might
be an early 'warning sign' of sleep apnea. In most cases it
won't be - but it's better to be sure.
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