Why do you snore in your sleep? Not only can it be embarrassing, but it can also be disruptive.
Snoring may even become a hindrance to your relationships. And as it turns out, it might also be a hindrance to your health.
How does snoring work?
This uncontrollable sound comes directly from the respiratory tract. Your airways relax and narrow as soon as you begin drifting off.
The narrower your airways are, the more your muscle tissue vibrates. This vibration produces that disruptive sound you may know a little too well.
There are a few variables that may explain why this happens. Anatomical features like the size of your tongue, neck, and jaw may explain your body’s need for extra air during sleep.
Other factors such as sleep posture or congestion play a significant role in whether or not you snore.
Is snoring really that big of a deal?
Although snoring may not seem like a big deal, it could alert you to something deeper. Snoring can be a warning sign from your body, so it’s important to listen to it.
Sleep Apnea
Nearly everyone will snore at some point, but chronic snoring is considered a sleep disorder. Sleep apnea can lead to a variety of health issues. Shortness of breath, irregular heartbeat, and chronic pain in your jaw, neck, and throat are all common symptoms of this disorder.
Many people have sleep apnea and don’t even realize that they snore. Because it obstructs your airways and lowers your oxygen intake, snoring can become dangerous.
Oxygen Deprivation
When your brain doesn’t receive the oxygen it needs, it releases stress hormones that can cause serious health issues over time. Vital organ damage, increased blood pressure, heart failure, and strokes are just a few of the negative long-term effects of snoring.
Getting your beauty rest shouldn’t always sound like sawing logs. Make sure you do what you can to discover the underlying cause of your snoring. Listen to your body’s queues so you can get back to sleeping soundly.
