“He snores loudly because he’s sleeping deeply.” Many families believe snoring is a sign of sound, restful sleep. In reality, snoring is a sign that air is not flowing freely through the airway during sleep. Occasional light snoring is usually harmless, but loud, regular snoring can be a warning sign of a serious condition called obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). In this video, Dr. Dipak Viradia, Chest Physician & Intensivist, explains when snoring should not be ignored.

Why do people snore? During sleep, the muscles of the throat relax. If the airway becomes narrow, the air passing through makes the soft tissues vibrate, producing the snoring sound. Common reasons include excess weight, especially around the neck, a blocked nose or allergy, enlarged tonsils, sleeping on the back, alcohol, smoking, and certain sedative medicines.

When snoring becomes dangerous: sleep apnoea. In obstructive sleep apnoea, the airway repeatedly closes during sleep, stopping breathing for several seconds at a time, sometimes many times an hour. Oxygen levels fall, the brain wakes the body briefly to restart breathing, and deep, restful sleep is lost, often without the person realising it.

Warning signs of sleep apnoea:

• Loud, regular snoring
• Pauses in breathing, choking or gasping during sleep, often noticed by a family member
• Feeling tired and sleepy during the day despite a full night’s sleep
• Morning headaches and a dry mouth
• Poor concentration, irritability and memory problems
• Waking up often at night to pass urine
• Falling asleep while watching TV, reading or even driving

Why it matters. Untreated sleep apnoea increases the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, irregular heartbeat, stroke, diabetes and road accidents due to daytime sleepiness. It can also make blood pressure and sugar harder to control.

Diagnosis and treatment. Sleep apnoea is diagnosed with a sleep study (polysomnography), which records breathing, oxygen levels and sleep patterns overnight. Treatment depends on severity and may include weight loss, avoiding alcohol and sedatives, sleeping on the side, treating nasal blockage, and CPAP therapy, a machine that keeps the airway open during sleep and is highly effective.

Dr. Dipak Viradia
Chest Physician & Intensivist | Interventional Pulmonologist & ECMO Specialist
Rudrax Chest Clinic, 301, Solaris Royce, Opp. Old RTO, Athwagate, Ring Road, Surat – 395001
Appointment: +91 75676 19985
Website: www.drdipakviradia.com