Is
snoring just annoying and nothing more? Or is it indicative of a potentially bigger health
problem? Dental surgeons said last week that snoring can sometimes kill people because it
causes real damage to the arteries.
Snoring is usually harmless unless a person also has sleep apnea. Sleep apnea
is defined by irregular breathing and snorting while sleeping. Suffers often totally stop
breathing for up to a couple of seconds. This usually affects over- weight middle- aged
men and has been linked with both heart disease and stroke
A team of dental surgeons from the University of California at Los Angeles
School of Dentistry examined the physical mechanics associated with snoring and discovered
some amazing revelations. They printed their results in the Journal of Oral and
Maxillofacial Surgery.
According to Dr. Arthur Friedlander an oral surgeon who worked on this study,
"When persons with sleep apnea fall asleep, their tongue falls back into their
throat, blocking their airway. As they struggle for breath, their blood pressure
soars." He added, " Cholesterol and calcium stick to the injury sites and amass
into calcified plaques, which block blood flow to the brain. The result is often a massive
stroke."
If you believe that you or a loved one suffers from sleep apnea it would be a
good idea to take a couple of preventative steps . First, if you are overweight, lose some
pounds through exercise and make changes in your diet. Secondly, talk to your doctor about
snoring and sleep apnea for information regarding any new techniques and/or medications
that can help you. Have your blood pressure checked and regularly monitored. Also ask your
doctor about the various medical devices that can help with decreasing snoring and sleep
apnea.
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