What Are the Dangers of Snoring?

According to the Mayo Clinic, half of all adults may snore at times. Snoring can become dangerous when it causes sleep apnea, impacts your daily functioning, raises your blood pressure or causes you to wake in the night choking or gasping for breath.

Sleep Apnea

• One of the serious forms of snoring is sleep apnea. People with sleep apnea will snore heavily and loudly and then cease breathing for short periods of time. When they are not breathing, oxygen is cut off from the heart and brain.

Impaired Function

• Snoring can cause you to wake several times during the night. Consistently interrupted causes daytime drowsiness, irritability, loss of motivation for activities such as exercising and an inability to concentrate.

Choking

• Moderate to severe snoring and sleep apnea can cause a choking or gasping sensation. Upon waking it can be difficult to catch your breath. This sensation of not being able to breath can raise your heart rate and blood pressure.

Children

• Snoring in children may be a sign of other health problems. Snoring can indicate nose or throat problems in children, such as enlarged tonsils.

Relationships

• Snoring poses a risk to your relationship as well. A partner's snoring can drive you from the bedroom, cause a lack of sleep and frustration within the relationship. Couples are encouraged to talk with their doctor if snoring for one or both people is a problem.