Today: 7 October 2025
10 June 2024
2 mins read

Snoring Can Lead to Life-Threatening Conditions

While not all snoring is dangerous, Dr. Manoj said that it may be of concern if an individual suffers from excessive daytime sleepiness, or restless sleep due to it…reports Asian Lite News

Snoring is a sleep disorder that can raise the risk of several non-communicable diseases like high blood pressure, and blood sugar and even cause life-threatening heart attack and stroke, said experts on Monday.

Snoring is the most common sleep-related breathing disorder often associated with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). More than 12 crore people in India reportedly suffer from OSA.

“Snoring is characterised by the recurrent episode of complete or partial obstruction of the upper airway leading to reduced or absent breathing during sleep and these episodes are termed apnoeas and hypopneas,” Dr. Manoj Pawar, Associate Consultant – Pulmonology, Manipal Hospital, Kharadi, Pune, told.

While not all snoring is dangerous, Dr. Manoj said that it may be of concern if an individual suffers from excessive daytime sleepiness, or restless sleep due to it.

“The prominent symptom is excessive daytime sleepiness wherein patients tend to sleep very easily during daytime mostly while watching TV, sitting with the other members of the family, reading newspapers, and even while driving a car. It can be very dangerous,” the doctor said. 

It can also cause early morning headaches, insomnia, trouble concentrating on things, mood changes, a decrease in sex drive, and an increase in urinary frequency.

“When the obstruction is severe, the oxygen supply to the various body organs is affected leading to apnoea (stoppage of breathing). Because of lack of oxygen, they suffer from a variety of neuropsychiatric symptoms such as tiredness, daytime sleepiness, irritability, and lack of concentration,” Dr Santosh Bangar, Senior Consultant Psychiatrist, Global Hospital, Parel, Mumbai, told.

“It is a major cause of divorce and road traffic accidents, and can lead to mental and physical health complications hypertension (high blood pressure), diabetes, irregular heart rhythm, heart attack, sudden cardiac death, stroke (paralysis), dementia and depression,” he added. 

Dr Santosh said it is also more common in men with a short neck, large tongue, and jaw abnormality. Besides obese individuals, it can also be seen in thin people and can be hereditary.

The experts called for a healthy lifestyle, weight reduction, regular exercise, eating a light dinner, and avoiding sleep tablets, smoking, and alcohol. Wearing a mask (CPAP, Continuous positive airway pressure) or jaw braces may also help.

ALSO READ-Mental Health Changes May Signal Brain Tumour Risk

Previous Story

UK job market on its way back after downturn

Next Story

‘Theatre Enriches an Actor’s Soul’

Latest from Health

Generic Drugs Boost Hypertension Control

By setting price ceilings on essential medicines based on average market prices, India successfully kept out-of-pocket costs low while still ensuring manufacturers made sustainable profits India’s focused public health strategies—centered on generic

Lower BP Target Could Benefit Indians

Beyond salt reduction, experts stressed that controlling hypertension requires a comprehensive approach. Regular exercise, maintaining a healthy body weight, reducing alcohol intake, quitting tobacco, and consuming a balanced diet rich in fruits

Silent Diabetes Crisis Unfolds

The report further highlights that even for those who do receive a diagnosis, the challenges of care and management remain significant A startling number of young adults across the globe are living

Physiotherapists Barred From ‘Doctor’ Title

The DGHS letter cited past legal pronouncements and advisory orders from courts and councils that had already prohibited physiotherapists and occupational therapists from using the title The Directorate General of Health Services
Go toTop