REM Sleep Labs Blog
Date posted: february 20, 2012 05:50pm
Snoring might be irritating to those who are trying to get a night’s sleep, and distressing to the snorer himself or herself, who may not even be aware that they are snoring. It can be funny and annoying at the same time. But recent studies suggest that snoring might actually be a symptom of a latent medical condition, and may contribute to serious health problems later in life.
According to a story posted to the website of Hernando Today (a joint publication of The Tampa Bay Tribune and The Tampa Times), researchers have begun exploring the possibility that a relatively common sleep disorder, sleep apnea, may have an adverse impact on the health of an individual in addition to causing him or her to snore. Sleep apnea is a condition in which the soft tissue in the back of the mouth and throat relax during sleep, which then blocks the airway. The sleeper may momentarily stop breathing as many as one hundred times per night.
Anytime the brain is deprived of oxygen is a cause for concern, and sleep apnea may over time lead to significant problems, including heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure. The lack of oxygen flowing to the brain may also lead to mild cognitive impairment, or even dementia.
The results of a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) and cited by the Hernando Today article underscores the potential risks of sleep apnea later in life. According to the study, 44 percent of elderly women with sleep apnea also have cognitive impairment or dementia. Sleep apnea was observed in a large number of individuals in the early-to-mid stages of Alzheimer’s disease, and the symptoms of the disease were most intense in those who had this sleep disorder.
Sleep apnea is most prevalent in the elderly and overweight individuals, and contrary to the popular perception that men suffer from this condition in higher numbers than women, the JAMA study revealed that many women, and a high rate of elderly women, have sleep apnea.
The bottom line is that sleep apnea is a more complex and potentially harmful condition than previously thought. Although snoring is the most conspicuous symptom of sleep apnea, there may be deeper and less obvious signs and effects that can have both a short-term and long-term impact.
If you or someone you know snores in their sleep or has been diagnosed with sleep apnea, you should meet with an expert an Orange County sleep center as soon as possible. An Orange County sleep center is dedicated to the study of sleep disorders and has many professional researchers and personnel on staff who are well-versed in the latest developments and technology and can use that knowledge and experience to diagnose and treat your condition.
Snoring may be a source of irritation, embarrassment, and frustration, but it could also be a sign of deeper health problems. A person who snores or suspects they may have sleep apnea would be well advised to visit an Orange County sleep center for a consultation and seek the advice of experts on the subject. They may be able to help.
