Social and health consequences of snoring
Posted on 12th Aug 2015
It's not just about the Snorer. Snoring can impact on your partner & family.
Snoring affects the sleep cycle reducing deep, quality restorative sleep which can also affect your partner & family members in the same house who are disturbed by your snoring. This leads to fragmented and un-refreshing sleep all round, which translates into poor daytime function, relationship difficulties and health consequences.
Some common social & health issues surrounding snoring:
- Snorers experience excessive daytime drowsiness, irritability, lack of focus with changes in the level of attention, concentration or memory, morning headaches, dry mouth, lower blood oxygen levels and decreased libido
- Snoring is number three on the list of reasons for divorce in married couples (only infidelity and finances are blamed before snoring)
- Snoring is distressing for sleep partners & other family members
- Sleep deprivation has a negative impact on personal, intellectual & physical performance together with the well-being and quality of life for both the snorer & family
- Snoring is an embarrassment when travelling with others
- Snorers can wake at night feeling confused
- Snorers can have long pauses in breathing during sleep which can be a sign of sleep apnoea (a sleep specialist is recommended if this is the case).
- New research has shown that loud snoring can pose serious health risks, the development of carotid artery atherosclerosis, the risk of brain damage and of stroke:-
With such significant side effects to both the snorer and those around them the importance of resolving any snoring issues should not be ‘swept under the rug.’
For a high percentage of snorers surgery may not be required. By simply using an inexpensive mandibular device snoring can be greatly reduced or eliminated all together. While it may take a little time to adjust to sleeping with one, the benefits to you and your loved ones make it well worth the effort.