Snoring: A Funny Anecdote with Serious Side Effects
Snoring is a topic that often conjures up images of cartoon characters, complete with loud snores and flying saliva. It is not uncommon to hear someone snore occasionally, whether it’s from a heavy meal or after having a few too many drinks. However, when snoring becomes a regular occurrence, it can lead to problems in relationships and even pose a threat to one’s health.
Many people who snore are unaware of their condition because they are usually asleep when it happens. According to researchers, approximately 60% of snorers refuse to acknowledge their snoring habits. Some people only snore lightly, making it almost imperceptible to others, while others produce loud noises that can be heard meters away.
One man who experienced an extreme case of snoring was writer Kevin McParland. He remembers vividly encountering the “king of all snorers.” Kevin was part of a humanitarian aid convoy that delivered medical supplies to orphanages, hospitals, and day care centers in Belarus after the Chernobyl nuclear accident. The team spent their nights sleeping in their vehicles, but occasionally they were offered a bit of floor space indoors, or a bed if they were lucky.
One such night, about 20 people slept in small single beds in a large dormitory-type room. Kevin was awakened by a terrible racket. The man in the bed next to him was snoring so loudly that others in the room were also sitting up, trying to identify the source of the noise. It wasn’t hard to find him. To say this guy was snoring doesn’t do justice to the sound coming out of his body. Various missiles were sent flying in his direction, but it didn’t quieten him. Eventually, a group of truck drivers surrounded his bed, grabbed hold of his mattress and carried him outside. They placed him on the grass under one of the trucks and left him there. He was so loud that they could still hear him snoring in the distance.
While Kevin’s encounter with the king of all snorers was funny at the time, it highlights the serious side of snoring. Snoring occurs when the walls of the throat relax and narrow as we sleep, partially blocking the upper airway. The snoring sound is caused by vibrations of the tongue, nose, and throat. Men tend to snore more often and more loudly than women due to the larger airways in their neck.
The Irish Examiner reported that sleep problems are more likely to lead to a stroke. Getting too much or too little sleep, taking long naps, snoring, snorting, and sleep apnea are all associated with an increased risk of stroke. In addition, studies have shown that snorers are almost twice as likely as non-snorers to have a stroke. Many people who snore end up sleeping in separate rooms from their partners or suffer in silence, leading to frustration and stress in relationships.
However, there is good news. Lifestyle changes and medical advances can help alleviate snoring. For example, losing weight, avoiding alcohol before bed, and sleeping on one’s side instead of their back can help reduce snoring. In addition, there are anti-snoring devices such as mouthpieces and nasal strips that help keep the airway open while sleeping.
In a case closer to home, a Cardiff woman saved her husband’s life by performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) after he went into cardiac arrest due to snoring. Her husband, a fit and active cycling enthusiast, spent a month in hospital before being discharged. It just goes to show that snoring can have serious side effects, and it is essential to address it by seeking medical help.
In conclusion, snoring may seem like a funny topic, but it has serious side effects that can affect both relationships and health. It’s time to acknowledge the problem and seek medical help to prevent its harmful effects.
