Snoring is often considered normal. Many people consider it a harmless sleep noise. However, excessively loud snoring, occurring every night, even to the point of stopping breathing, can be a sign of a serious disorder called sleep apnea.
If you or a family member frequently snores loudly, it's important to understand when snoring is normal and when it's a warning sign.
Snoring Is Normal, But Not Always Safe
Snoring occurs when airflow through the airways is obstructed during sleep. This obstruction causes the tissues in the throat to vibrate, creating the snoring sound.
Occasional snoring can occur, for example, when you have a cold, are tired, or sleep in certain positions. However, snoring that occurs almost every night, is very loud, or occurs with pauses in breathing is not normal.
Chronic snoring needs to be taken into account, especially if people around you notice that when you snore, your breathing stops for a few seconds and then starts again.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that causes breathing to stop temporarily during sleep. This condition often begins with loud snoring. People with sleep apnea typically snore heavily, then stop breathing, and then wake up briefly to catch their breath.
Because this happens repeatedly throughout the night, sleep quality is disrupted. As a result, even after a long sleep, the body still feels tired.
Signs of Snoring That You Need to Watch Out For
Not all snoring is dangerous, but you need to be alert if snoring is accompanied by:
- Snoring so loud it can be heard from another room
- Snoring interspersed with pauses in breathing
- Waking up feeling choked or gasping for breath
- Frequent headaches in the morning
- Severe drowsiness during the day
- Difficulty concentrating
If snoring is disrupting your activities or making your body feel less fresh every day, it should not be ignored.
What are the consequences of left untreated snoring due to sleep apnea?
Snoring due to sleep apnea isn't just disruptive to your bed partner. If left untreated, this condition can increase the risk of:
- High blood pressure
- Heart disorders
- Stroke
- Diabetes
- Disturbances in concentration and productivity
Therefore, snoring accompanied by respiratory arrest is not just a sound problem during sleep, but can be a sign of a more serious health problem.
How to Solve It?
Treatment for snoring and sleep apnea depends on the cause. Some steps that may help include:
- Lose weight
- Adjusting sleeping position
- Avoid alcohol before bed
- Using a special breathing aid while sleeping (CPAP)
- Further medical evaluation for specific cases
A medical examination can help determine whether your snoring is sleep apnea and how severe the condition is.
Don't Take Snoring for Granted
Snoring may seem normal, but loud, persistent snoring accompanied by pauses in breathing requires medical attention. Recognizing the signs of sleep apnea early can help prevent more serious complications later on.
If you or your family experience heavy snoring that causes breathing to stop while sleeping, don't hesitate to consult and undergo further examination at EMC Alam Sutera Hospital . With proper evaluation and appropriate treatment, your sleep quality and health can be improved.
Article written by Dr. Daniel T. Suryadisastra, Sp.N, FIN, RPSGT, AIFO-K (Neurology Specialist Doctor, EMC Alam Sutera Hospital).