Snoring & Sleep Apnoea Treatment Dublin

Let’s have an honest conversation about snoring. Snoring can be that night time menace that people complain about but all too many accept as a fact of life. Maybe you’ve gotten complaints from people over the years and feel you’re doing the best you can. Or, perhaps, you’re the spouse of a full-blast snorer, and you’ve given up that things can get better.

In either case, you’re not alone. According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, 40% of adult men and 24% of adult women are regular snorers.

It turns out you’re more likely to snore if you are overweight, pregnant, congested, sleep on your back, consume alcohol at bedtime, smoking, taking meds that relax the throat and older. The CDC says 1 in 3 adults don’t get enough quality sleep. There are many different reasons people sleep poorly and snoring has got to be on the list, especially for couples. Right now, snoring may seem like an unavoidable fact of life, but there are good reasons to start taking it more seriously.

Let’s take a deeper look at why. How did you feel when you woke up this morning? If you’re a regular snorer, you may not be sleeping as well as you could. Research has shown that snoring can affect sleep quality. For some people, the sound of their snoring may even wake them up during the night.

Much has been written about the downsides of poor sleep – you feel miserable, your brain doesn’t work as well as it should, it’s hard to focus, and you don’t cope as well. Also, sleep- deprived people do not perform as well on the job and have a tougher time dealing with the everyday issues in relationships. Does any of this sound like you or someone you know?

That’s plenty of motivation to get serious. It’s been said that nothing will test a marriage like snoring and insomnia. Snoring is one of the most common spousal complaints.  In a National Sleep Foundation survey, over 40% of the respondents said their partner’s snoring had a big effect on their sleep.

And it’s no surprise it can be just as bad for a spouse as it is for you with all the downsides and sugar on top. If both of you are sleep deprived, stressed and strung out emotionally, you’ve really got a problem. Those are pretty high stakes for you, your spouse, and your relationship.

It turns out snoring can be a symptom of a serious medical issue lurking beneath the surface, obstructive sleep apnea. It’s a common sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops during the night. It’s a real sleep killer because it keeps you out of the deep restorative sleep your body needs to recover and recharge. And it’s mostly undiagnosed. In fact, there are said to be millions of adults across the world living with obstructive sleep apnea, and most don’t know it.

Obstructive sleep apnea has been linked to high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and depression. Research at John Hopkins University has shown that severe sleep apnea in middle or old age can up your risk of dying prematurely by up to 46%. That’s pretty serious.

Keep in mind not everyone who snores has sleep apnea, but many do. All the same, it’s not something to take lightly.

That’s pretty high stakes and even more motivation to take action. If you’re wondering what to look for, the symptoms include snoring; choking, gasping, or snorting sounds; dry mouth or sore throat; difficulty staying asleep; waking up frequently to urinate; morning headaches; fatigue during the day; excessive daytime sleepiness; irritability or mood swings; and attention, memory or learning problems

Despite so many people accepting snoring as a fact of life and quietly enduring it night after night, it doesn’t have to be that way. There are plenty of practical things you can do.  While some of the remedies are simple and others are more involved, they’re all well worth it.

Your options include sleeping on your side; elevating your head with a wedge pillow or using an adjustable bed; weight loss; snoring devices; and surgery.

Be sure to get a checkup with a doctor. Many other health issues and prescription drugs can sabotage your sleep. A sleep apnea specialist will help figure out a snoring and sleep apnea treatment plan that works for you. Lastly, don’t forget about sleep hygiene, the everyday things that can affect the quality of sleep.  It’s important for everyone.

For better sleep hygiene, you should keep regular wake-up and sleep times; avoid naps; exercise during the day; avoid large meals, alcohol or stimulants such as caffeine before bedtime; maintain a bedtime routine to wind down; and keep your bedroom quiet, dark, and cool.

Contact the Beacon Sleep Clinic to learn more – 01 2135644

Ref: thecharlottepost.com

Are you a Patient or Medical Professional?