SNORING..ALMOST AN EPIDEMIC.

Facts about snoring

• Habitual snoring is seen in 44% of males and 28% of females between 30–60 years of age in the general population. Occasional snoring is almost universal.
• Snoring means there is high resistance in the upper air way canal. It can be a sign of obstructive sleep apnea, which occurs when the upper airway canal resistance is severe and the patient gets episodes of low breathing or absent breathing during sleep.
• Snoring may be present with or without sleep disruption.
• Sleep apnea is a disease and indicates interrupted sleep.
• Uncontrolled snoring may lead to high blood pressure and can lead to heart diseases and paralysis.
• Snoring is associated with carotid artery atherosclerosis.
• Snoring can be a cause of sleeplessness.
• Snoring can lead to marital dissatisfaction.
• Snoring is more common in people who have truncal obesity with a BMI>30.
• Snoring is common in people with large neck circumference.
• Fifty percent of patients of sleep apnea have high blood pressure which is often most elevated in the morning.
• Snoring is common in man with collar size > 43.18 cms (17") and in women with collar size > 40.64 cms (16").
• Low thyroid state can precipitate OSA (obstructive sleep apnea) in the persons of snoring
• Snoring is associated with increased traffic accidents.
• Snoring is associated with sudden death.
• Sleep studies are needed to evaluate snoring and sleep apnea.
• Look for snoring and sleep apnea in patients who awaken with a chocking, gasping, smothering; who have restless sleep; have episodes of cessation of breathing; morning headache, reduced libido and impotence, pass urine in the morning more than 4 times, have history of high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases, cerebrovascular diseases, renal diseases, type 2 diabetes.