Snoring is more than an annoying noise that can be a warning sign of sleep apnea. A well-known consequence of the lack of sleep, is now found in patients with cardiovascular risk or association with cognitive impairment in children. Sleep apnea is a disease that is identified by the loud snoring of the patients. The reason is that breathing pauses occur during sleep, which can be followed by small periods of awakening, called arousals. As a result, there is daytime sleepiness due to lack of restful sleep, which in some cases leads to chronic illness.
Lack of sleep produces constant tiredness, especially if kept for long periods of time, the temptation to doze off at any place and situation, concentration problems and memory loss, irritability, headache, decrease in work performance, in addition to the risk of all types of accidents. And the problems do not end there. Recent studies showed that sleep apnea associated with increased risk in patients with cardiovascular disease and cognitive disorders in children.
It is significant to differentiate between snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. Many people snore. Snoring is not necessarily sleep apnea.
Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
Loud and chronic snoring
Excessive daytime drowsiness
Choking, snorting, or gasping during sleep
Daytime sleepiness, no matter how much time you spend in bed
Problem with mental function
Poor judgment/can’t focus
Forgetfulness and difficulty concentratin
Quick to anger
High blood pressure
Nighttime chest pain
Depression
Problem with excess weight
Large neck (>17″ around in men, >16″ around in women)
Airway crowding
Morning headaches
Waking up with a dry mouth or sore throat
Frequent trips to the bathroom at night
Public Health Problem
Lack of sleep causes fatigue, concentration problems, irritability and headache.
Sleep apnea, also known as apnea-hypopnea syndrome (SAHS), should be considered as a public health problem. Not only by the consequences of the lack of sleep but by the gradual degradation of quality of life of those affected when the disease is not checked on time.
However, it should be clear that snoring is not always synonymous with disease. In general, snoring occurs gradually. Snoring is the first and sign of alarm, but not the most significant. The sudden and choking awakenings with choking feeling included, in addition to identifying problems associated with lack of sleep, are reason enough to go to the specialist.
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