Snoring Husband? Signs It’s More Than Just Lack of Sleep

Having a husband who snores can be annoying, especially if it interrupts your sleep. However, snoring can be a sign of a more severe health issue. Sleep apnea is a dangerous condition where your husband can experience all sorts of health risks. This condition can even lead to death.

There are three different types of sleep apnea.

  • Complex sleep apnea syndrome. This is a condition where a person has both central sleep apnea and obstructive sleep apnea.
  • Central sleep apnea. Central sleep apnea occurs when the brain does not send signals to the breathing muscles of the body.
  • Obstructive sleep apnea. This is the most common form of sleep apnea, and it is caused by the throat muscles relaxing.

Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

Several symptoms can be attributed to this condition.

  • Snoring
  • Dry mouth
  • Daytime sleepiness
  • Difficulty staying asleep
  • Morning headache
  • Gasping for air
  • Difficulty paying attention
  • Irritability

For some people, the symptoms may be mild. They might even be the result of a bad sleeping environment that can be fixed with a better sleeping setup, such as one that you can learn more about at Sleepify. For some people, symptoms may be more exaggerated depending on the type of sleep apnea your husband has. Pay close attention to when your husband snores to see if there are times when he wakes up gasping for air. This is a classic sign of sleep apnea. You will want to make an appointment with your husband’s physician as soon as possible.

Risk Factors for Sleep Apnea

Several factors can increase the chances of your husband having sleep apnea.

  • Excess weight. For people who have excess weight around their neck, this can cause the upper airway to be constricted.
  • Narrowed airway. Some people will have a narrow throat they have inherited genetically. Tonsils and adenoids can also block the airway.
  • Being male. Men are 2 to 3 times more likely to have sleep apnea.
  • Age. Sleep apnea is more often seen in older adults.
  • Family history. If your husband has a family member with sleep apnea, it will increase his chances of having sleep apnea.
  • Alcohol use. Alcohol use can significantly increase the risk of sleep apnea due to relaxing the throat muscles.
  • Smoking. If your husband smokes, he is three times more likely to develop sleep apnea. When a person smokes, it causes both fluid retention and inflammation around the airways.
  • Medical conditions. If your husband suffers from high blood pressure, type II diabetes, or chronic lung diseases, this can increase the chances of him having sleep apnea.
  • Nasal congestion. Nasal congestion, which is difficulty breathing through the nose, can lead to sleep apnea.

Diagnosis of Sleep Apnea

If your husband has sleep apnea symptoms, you should make a doctor’s appointment as soon as possible. The doctor will do an exam and most likely have your husband do a sleep evaluation. This evaluation is where your husband will be monitored overnight at a sleep center to see how he sleeps. If the tests indicate that your husband has obstructive sleep apnea, the doctor may refer him to an ear nose and throat doctor. This will help to rule out blockages in the nose and throat. If your husband suffers from central sleep apnea, an appointment with a neurologist might be necessary to discover the cause 

Treatments for Sleep Apnea

There are several different sleep apnea treatment options available. Treatment options will depend on how severe your husband’s sleep apnea is.

  • Lifestyle changes. For milder sleep apnea cases, the doctor may recommend that your husband lose weight and eat healthier. Losing weight can often help diminish the symptoms of sleep apnea.
  • CPAP. If your husband has a mild to a severe form, his doctor may recommend that he wear a CPAP. This is a machine that helps deliver air pressure to normalize breathing during sleep. The doctor will better tell you about how a CPAP works and if it is right for your husband that has sleep apnea. You can find a sleep apnea clinic in your area to help you with the equipment. For instance, if you live in North Carolina, you might find a clinic to help with sleep apnea in Raleigh, NC.
  • Treating other medical problems. For people who have central sleep apnea, treating neuromuscular disorders and heart disorders can improve sleep apnea.
  • Supplemental oxygen. For people the sleep apnea, supplemental oxygen may help with the symptoms.

While hearing your husband snoring can be annoying, and you may want to take this as a sign that there may be an issue with his health. Going to the doctor to rule out any form of sleep apnea is a good idea, especially if he suffers from other symptoms besides snoring.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Prev
Built For Business: 5 Subtle Tweaks That Will Improve Your Business Website

Built For Business: 5 Subtle Tweaks That Will Improve Your Business Website

Whether your website is dedicated to selling t-shirts or listing the sale of

Next
Tips to Have Healthy Muscles And Joints As You Age

Tips to Have Healthy Muscles And Joints As You Age

Unless you start to feel pain in your joints, you do not put in the effort to

You May Also Like