Sure – snoring is annoying.
But can it actually be deadly?
No – this does not mean being strangled in the middle of the
night by a severely annoyed spouse or partner - as tempting as that may
be! The fact is, snoring is often
related to sleep apnea, a condition where the body is deprived of oxygen during
a night of heavy zzzzz’s.
One obvious problem this causes is being tired during the
day, contributing to automobile and workplace accidents. But even worse, sleep apnea, which is experienced
by over 30 million North Americans, has been scientifically linked to obesity,
high blood pressure, strokes, heart attacks and diabetes. So if that low rumbling sound that keeps the
entire neighbourhood awake isn’t enough, now there is much more reason for
concern.
But wait – it actually gets worse. A study performed at the University of
Wisconsin School of Medicine has just shown a significant link between sleep
apnea and cancer, showing this condition increases the risk of cancer by almost
a factor of five!
“This is really big news,” said Dr. Joseph Golish, a
professor of sleep medicine with the Metro Health System in Cleveland. “It is the first time this has been shown and
it looks like a very solid association.”
There is no doubt that snoring can be much more serious than
just a nighttime disturbance. So what
can you do if you or a loved one may suffer from sleep apnea?
Fortunately, there are many ways to have this condition
treated. Solutions range from simple dental
appliances, to surgery, to wearing nighttime contraptions that make you look
(and sound) like Darth Vader! Your
dentist and physician can recommend the appropriate treatment for you.
At Acreview Dental Clinic, we would be glad to review and discuss
your snoring issues or any other dental questions you may have.
Just give us a call at 250-338-9085 and we will
get you in right away!
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