15 Feb Could Chronic Snoring Mean Bigger Health Problems?

When you’re dealing with sinus problems, it can be difficult to get a good night’s sleep and you may also suffer from chronic snoring.

Snoring happens when air cannot freely flow through the passage at the back of the nose and throat. Anything obstructing the airways of the ear, nose and throat can make breathing difficult at night and cause sleep-disturbing snoring.

Of course, many of us may snore on occasion, and snoring can have causes that aren’t due to underlying disease. While it may just seem like an annoying or embarrassing tic, it can also potentially lead to some serious and long-term health problems.  

Chronic snoring not only affects the quality of sleep, but can also cause a host of other health concerns including, high blood pressure, heart disease, daytime fatigue, difficulty concentrating, headaches, sore throat, and more.

Here are some common ENT problems that can interfere with sleep and contribute to chronic snoring:

Chronic Sinus Infections & Allergies

Snoring can be a common symptom for individuals who suffer from allergies or chronic sinusitis. Both disorders may result in excess mucus production, chronic congestion, inflammation and blockage of the nasal passages and airways.

Anatomical Obstruction

A variety of anatomical irregularities impacting the ENT airways may cause snoring, breathing problems, and sleep disruption. These can include deformities in the bony structure of the nose, such as a deviated septum.

Smaller-than-average airways in the nose, throat, or mouth, or a larger-than-average tongue can also create problems. An overly long soft palate or uvula can also be a common source of obstruction (too much tissue at the back of the throat that hangs down and blocks the windpipe).

Nasal Polyps

Nasal polyps are growths that develop in inflamed tissue of the nose and sinuses. Problems can occur when clusters of nasal polyps or very large growths block the nose. Because patients are unable to breathe through their nose, instead, they mouth breathe while sleeping, causing them to snore. In some cases, nasal polyps can make snoring every enough that the patient develops sleep apnea, which can have a substantial and negative health impact.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea is caused by a blockage of the airway, often when the soft tissue at the back of the throat collapses during sleep. It typically causes loud and disruptive snoring. Many of the above factors can also play a role in this disorder. Sleep apnea is a condition that can be dangerous and should be taken seriously.

Addressing any potential underlying breathing problems behind chronic snoring can be important to your health.

Do you or a loved one suffer from chronic snoring? We’re here to help! Contact our office today to schedule your appointment.