Snoring is a common phenomenon and almost everyone has experienced it at one point or another. Some people think that snoring is a sign of a good night's sleep, so long-term snoring does not attract enough attention. However, there may be health concerns for some people who snore for a long time or severely, so it is crucial to pay attention to and deal with snoring for those who have been snoring for a long time or severely.
Why most people can't hear themselves snoring
Sleep is an integral part of human life, and snoring is a common phenomenon in many people's sleep. Interestingly, however, most people are unaware of the sound of their snoring.
Breathing is a complex process that involves the coordinated functioning of organs such as the throat, trachea, and lungs. When we breathe, air enters the lungs through the throat and trachea. However, when we are in a state of snoring, air enters through narrow voids, causing the throat and soft tissues to vibrate, producing a purring sound. Since this sound is produced inside our body and transmitted to our ears through bones and tissues, we cannot hear ourselves snoring. This is because our auditory system is not sensitive to such internally conducted sound frequencies and vibrations.
In addition, there are a few other factors that may explain why we can't hear ourselves snoring. For example, when we fall asleep, our consciousness and concentration decrease, and our brain is more focused on rest and recovery. In this state, our perception of external stimuli decreases, so we cannot notice our own snoring.
Neglected "snoring" hazards
1. Decreased sleep quality:
Severe snoring can lead to poor sleep quality and inability to enjoy adequate rest. Snoring is high-pitched and harsh and can interfere with your own sleep and that of others. In the long term, this can lead to chronic fatigue, daytime sleepiness and difficulty concentrating, which can seriously affect daily life and productivity.
2. Increased risk of cardiovascular disease:
People with severe snoring tend to have sleep apnea, which is repeated pauses in breathing during sleep. In this case, the oxygen supply is insufficient, which leads to a decrease in the oxygen level in the blood and an increase in the burden on the heart. In the long term, the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke will increase significantly.
3. It is easy to induce or aggravate hypertension and diabetes
When a person has pauses in breathing or reduced airflow, the body is starved of oxygen, which leads to damage to the walls of blood vessels. This damage causes the elasticity of the blood vessels to decrease, making them stiff and no longer able to expand and contract effectively. This decrease in the elasticity of blood vessels increases the resistance of blood within the blood vessels, which in turn leads to an increase in blood pressure.
In addition to its effects on vascular health, severe snoring can negatively affect glucose metabolism. Apnea or reduced airflow can cause the body to lack oxygen, which can affect insulin sensitivity. Insulin is a key hormone in controlling blood sugar levels. When insulin sensitivity decreases, the body's response to insulin weakens, which in turn leads to the development of insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is an important risk factor for diabetes, and people with severe snoring for a long time may develop diabetes.
4. Affect respiratory health:
Due to narrowing of the airways and obstruction of airflow, the resistance of the airways in the lungs gradually increases, while the lung volume decreases. Not only can these changes cause breathing difficulties and a lack of oxygen supply, but they can also trigger a range of other health problems.
Airway inflammation is one of the common problems. As a result of blocked airflow, the velocity of gases in the airways increases, which causes irritation of the airway mucosa, triggering an inflammatory response. For a long time, inflammation of the airways can lead to thickening of the airway walls and increased mucus secretion within the airways, further exacerbating breathing difficulties.
In addition, damage to lung tissue is also an important problem. Due to narrowing of the airways and obstruction of airflow, the lung tissues are subjected to additional pressure and friction during breathing. For a long time, this pressure and friction can lead to alveolar rupture and lung tissue damage, and even lead to an increased risk of lung infection.
Although snoring is a common phenomenon, for some people, snoring can be a serious problem with the body. It is recommended that you pay attention to your sleep quality, and if you find that your snoring is more serious, you should seek medical attention in time for corresponding examination and treatment. At the same time, it is also necessary to pay attention to daily preventive and therapeutic measures, such as changing sleeping position, reducing weight, avoiding alcohol and smoking, etc.