Q1. Is it normal to have snoring while sleeping?
It is normal to have snoring once in a while during sleep, however it can be a cause of concern if you have snoring three nights a week, especially if it is loud and disturbing others.
Q2. What is snoring?
Snoring occurs when air flows past a swollen, narrowed or relaxed tissues in your upper airway. It is being amplified when air flows through a narrow pipe.
Q3. Is snoring always a sign of sleep apnea?
Not all snorers have sleep apnea. It has been shown in literature that 90% of sleep apnea patients have snoring while sleeping and 10% do not have. Patients who don’t snore may still have sleep apnea, it’s certainly not a symptom you should ignore.
Q4. What is sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder in which your upper airway is blocked many times when you sleep, reducing or completely stopping airflow, leading to insufficient oxygen intake and hence fragmented sleep. Structural obstructions can be caused by enlarged tonsils, a long uvula or a swollen tongue. Functionally, whole body muscle relaxes during deep sleep will lead to upper airway collapses and prevent your body from getting enough oxygen. The repeated suffocating episodes interrupt sleep, resulting in poorer sleep quality.
Q5. What are the symptoms of sleep apnea?
Symptoms of sleep apnea are mostly noticed by family members at home. Patients have loud snoring and pauses in breathing while sleeping. Sleep apnea patients may experience restless and shallow sleep, get up to the bathroom in the middle of the night, unrefreshing sleep the next morning and falling asleep when sitting down. They may also suffer from morning headaches from time to time, fall asleep in a meeting or when they concentrate on the computer monitor. They may take many cups of coffee or chewing gum as energy boost during the day. This affects their work performance directly in the office.
Q6. Is sleep apnea associated with vascular diseases?
Sleep apnea is a chronic condition. Recent research papers have shown that obstructive sleep apnea is associated with vascular diseases such as hypertension, heart disease, stroke and cerebral haemorrhage. If your family members or friends have snoring, poor sleep quality, excessive daytime sleepiness, it is important to encourage them to seek timely medical advice and early treatment.
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