A large number of people have a habit of snoring at night. Though snoring is often dismissed as a harmless nighttime habit. Many people believe that they snore when they are tired. However, persistent snoring can not only impact the sleep quality, but also the memory, concentration, heart health, and even overall well-being.
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Impact of snoring
In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Nitin Dange, director at Interventional Neurologist and Neurosurgeon, Gleneagles Hospital, Parel, shared the impact of snoring on mental health.
“Snoring is commonly seen in a majority of people and is considered extremely normal due to tiredness or ageing. But, understand that snoring can be a sign of an underlying sleep disorder known as obstructive sleep apnea, where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep,” said Dr Nitin.
And when snoring happens, the brain and body may not receive enough oxygen, affecting the overall well-being of an individual. Moreover, constant snoring is also known to affect the health and memory of an individual.
How snoring affects health and memory
According to Dr Nitin, a good night’s sleep is necessary for the brain to rest, process information, and even store memories. Snoring can be an indicator of sleep apnea, and if not addressed on time, constant snoring can lead to frequent oxygen drops in the blood, and disrupts restorative REM sleep, and cause cognitive decline and memory loss in patients. People who snore heavily tend to experience sleep disruption without even knowing it. Hence, those who tend to snore often may feel tired, irritable, or unable to concentrate during the day. So, over time, poor sleep quality because of snoring can take a toll on the memory, attention span, decision-making, and learning ability.
Dr Nitin highlighted that if the person snores and is unable to sleep properly, then he/she can feel irritable, cranky, or groggy on waking up. They may forget things more often, struggle to concentrate at work, and feel mentally sluggish. Many will forget where they kept the keys, wallet, or an important document. Likewise, snoring and sleep apnea can also be associated with high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, anxiety, and depression. So, make sure to understand the cause behind snoring and manage it with the help of an expert.
How to reduce snoring?
⦿ It is necessary to maintain an optimum weight for the patient, as excess weight can narrow the airway.
⦿ Make sure to sleep on your side instead of your back.
⦿ Quit smoking as it can cause irritation and inflammation of the airways, and avoid alcohol and even heavy meals before hitting the sack.
Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.