Snoring for most people is not considered a problem. Even snoring is associated with deep sleep. In fact, snoring is accompanied stopped breathing for a moment can lead to serious health problems such as stroke or heart disease.
Stop breathing during sleep or obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is caused by the closing of the airway by the network at the top of the nose and throat. Disturbing, it stopped breathing can occur many times during sleep.
"Stop breathing will make the body lacks oxygen. Since no oxygen normally we would wake up suddenly. Tensions rise of blood immediately. Condition in the long run lead to interference with the heart," said Dr. Bambang Budi Siswanto, Sp JP in event titled Sleep Disorders Increases Risk of Chronic Illness in Jakarta (27/3/13). The event was held in commemoration of World Sleep Day.
Decrease in blood oxygen levels during sleep was significantly can trigger arrhythmia and hypertension or elevated blood pressure that is difficult lowered with medication.
"Many patients with hypertension are continually added to lower the dose of the medicine. Doctors sometimes forget to check whether the patients had OSA or snoring while sleeping," said a doctor from the Hospital Cardiovascular Harapan Kita, Jakarta, this.
Chronic hypertension can also cause thickening of the heart muscle and blood coagulation. "The risk of stroke becomes very high," he added.
According to Dr. Rismawati Tedjasukmana, Sp S, sleep researchers, sleep apnea can affect anyone, from infants to the elderly. "The baby is usually caused due to abnormal growth of the jaw. While enlarged tonsils in children of school age will also cause snoring," he said on the same occasion.
In adults, certain conditions can invite sleep apnea, such as obesity. "The role of the largest in the occurrence of sleep apnea is weight loss. Yet on the other hand people who sleep apnea weight is also easier to ride," said Risma.
Sleep disturbance will disrupt the balance of hormones, such as hormones that regulate hunger and satiety. Impaired insulin will also trigger the disease.
"If we are not relieved snoring means breath. Therefore must be treated so as not to be complications of disease," he said.
Losing weight, quitting smoking, or sleep on his side can do to reduce snoring. In more severe cases, an effective way to overcome sleep apnea is the use of special tools for applying pressure to your airways.