On the night of the family dinner, Lao Li's snoring resounded throughout the living room. The grandson smiled mischievously and said'Grandpa slept so soundly! 'Lao Li's wife also smiled and agreed, but there was a trace of worry in her eyes. She knows, Lao Li's'Sleep soundly'In fact, it is a misunderstanding. In fact, this seemingly innocuous detail of life may hide a health alarm - sleep apnea.
In many people's minds, snoring is mistaken for a sign of deep sleep. However, as a doctor, I'm here to tell you the truth: snoring doesn't just mean sleep***, which can be a precursor to sleep apnea, a health problem that should not be ignored.
Snoring, often misunderstood as a deep sign of sleep, can be a harbinger of hidden health hazards. In medicine, snoring is not only a sound phenomenon during sleep, it can also be an important signal for sleep apnea syndrome (SAS). Learn about the connection between snoring and sleep apneaEssential for maintaining long-term health.
Causes of snoring
Snoring occurs when the airway is partially blocked during sleep, and when air flows through these narrow areas, it causes vibrations in the surrounding soft tissues, producing a purring sound. This partial blockage can be caused by a variety of reasons, such as enlarged tonsils, nasal problems, obesity, or even improper sleeping position. Although snoring itself may not be a direct threat to health,But it's often a warning sign from the body that there's an underlying health problem.
The link between sleep apnea and snoring
Sleep apnea is a more serious sleep disorder characterized by repeated stops and starts of breathing during sleep. This is usually caused by complete obstruction of the airway and is associated with snoring. Sleep apnea not only disrupts sleep quality, but can also lead to a range of serious health problems, such as increased blood pressure in systemic arteries, abnormal glucose metabolism and heart disease.
Snoring: Is it just a matter of sound?
No, snoring isn't just a matter of sound。While many people don't necessarily experience sleep apnea when they snore, prolonged and persistent snoring is a potential sign of this serious condition. Therefore, if you or a family member has been snoring for a long time, especially if it is accompanied by symptoms such as fatigue during the day, difficulty concentrating, or frequent awakenings during the night, then it is best to consult a doctor for further testing and diagnosis.
Sleep apnea, a widely overlooked sleep disorder, is the occurrence of repeated pauses in breathing or shallow breathing during sleep. Although it is generally considered to be a simple snoring, it actually hides health risks that cannot be ignored.
Symptoms: Warning signs at night.
The most common symptoms include:
Intermittent apnea: Repeated stops and starts of breathing during sleep.
Frequent awakenings during the night: accompanied by a feeling of choking or wheezing, leading to a decrease in sleep quality.
Excessive daytime sleepiness: Fatigue and lack of energy during the day due to poor sleep quality at night.
Difficulty concentrating: Cognitive function is impaired, such as memory loss, decision-making is impaired.
Hazards: Health risks that should not be ignored.
Sleep apnea isn't just a nighttime nuisance, it can also lead to a range of serious health problems:
Cardiovascular disease: Recurrent hypoxemia increases the burden on the heart and blood vessels, resulting in increased blood pressure in the systemic arteries and arrhythmias.
Metabolic problems: Long-term sleep disturbances may induce abnormal glucose metabolism and increase the risk of type 2 diabetes.
Mood swings: Persistent sleep deprivation can lead to mood instability, increasing the risk of depression and anxiety.
Increased risk of accidents: Increased likelihood of errors when operating machinery or driving due to daytime sleepiness