It is perhaps the most annoying habit in any partner.
But snoring is generally viewed as more of an irritant than a harmful health problem.
HoweverExperts are now warning that making loud noises at night is not normal – and not as harmless as you might have thought.
Snoring, they say, is possible lead to permanent health problems.
Dr. Colin Sullivan, a sleep expert in Australia, told us Salon that there is no such thing as ‘harmless’ snoring.
Not only is it annoying, but snoring has also been shown to increase the risk of several diseases, including heart disease and diabetes
“Snoring is a precursor to such conditions for so many people, probably the majority,” he said.
As you drift off and fall into a deep sleep, the muscles in the roof of your mouth, tongue, and throat begin to relax.
However, if they relax too much, they can block the airways and vibrate, causing snoring.
Dr. Sina Joorabchi, an ear, nose and throat surgeon in Florida, shared several tips to stop snoring on TikTok
Dr. Sullivan said, “Snoring is not good for you. It damages the airways, it interrupts your sleep.’
He says the problem is often a sign of a harmful condition called sleep apnea, which is too often overlooked.
Sleep apnea is a condition that causes breathing to stop repeatedly throughout the night, sometimes for a few seconds at a time.
It can lead to loud snoring, gasping for air during sleep, insomnia, excessive sleepiness and irritability.
Snoring is also known to disrupt deep sleep, which the body needs to produce growth hormones that repair muscles, bones and tissues.
According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, interrupted sleep has long been linked to a host of chronic health problems, such as high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes.
The Cleveland Clinic also states that snoring can lead to difficulty concentrating, fatigue and an increased risk of heart attack.
Snoring can also be a sign of nasal congestion or chronic congestion, also called chronic sinusitis.
This happens when the sinuses are swollen or inflamed.
Several studies have suggested that snoring is far from harmless.
A study published last year by researchers at the Mayo Clinic found that people who snore have poorer brain health and may be at greater risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
In addition, experts in Sweden discovered that the lack of oxygen that snorers with sleep apnea experience may be linked to a higher risk of developing cancer.
Dr. Sina Joorabchi, an ear, nose and throat surgeon in Florida, posted a TikTok video last year with his tips for stopping snoring.
A tip is to stop sleeping on your back.
“The more you lie on your back, the more the tissues in the back of your throat can collapse, putting you at risk of snoring,” he said.
Dr. Joorabchi also recommended supporting yourself at a 30-degree angle, for example with a pillow, to clear your airways.
Additionally, he suggested avoiding alcohol right before bed. “Alcohol actually relaxes the tissues in your throat,” he said.
‘It will hinder it, so if air passes through it you will be at greater risk of snoring.’
Taking a warm shower or bath just before bedtime can also clear your airways and reduce the risk of snoring.