Snoring is a loud noise that occurs when the muscles of the throat relax excessively during sleep, obstructing the flow of air into the lungs, according to the Merck Manual. If breathing stops for 10 seconds or more during sleep---an episode of apnea---the patient gasps to breathe and enters a lighter stage of sleep, according to the National Institutes of Health. Patients with narrow airways, nasal congestion, abnormalities of the palate and jaw or obesity are at highest risk for snoring and sleep apnea. The effects of snoring are primarily related to sleep disturbances of the patient and his partner.
Sleep Disturbances
Snoring interrupts the patient's sleep, causing him to shift from deep sleep to a lighter level many times during the night, according to MayoClinic.com. Patients whose sleep is disrupted commonly complain of fatigue, daytime sleepiness and difficulty concentrating or remembering. Adults who snore are at higher risk of having car accidents or industrial accident because they fall asleep at inappropriate times. Children who snore often perform poorly at school and are at higher risk of developing attention deficit disorder, learning difficulties and behavior problems, according to MayoClinic.com.
Medical Problems
People who snore because of sleep apnea have a higher risk of developing high blood pressure, stroke, heart failure and morning headaches, according to the National Institutes of Health. The heart is unable to pump the blood effectively, reducing the amount of oxygen available to the body and limiting the amount of carbon dioxide that is cleared. Children who snore because of sleep apnea may also have problems with normal growth and development, according to NIH.
Emotional Issues
Patients who snore because of sleep apnea may develop depression and personality changes, according to NIH. Sleep disturbances due to snoring cause irritability, reduced quality of life, diminished sex drive and inability to participate fully in relationships, says the Merck Manual. Sleep partners suffer from sleep disturbances as well, according to MayoClinic.com. Snoring episodes occur in cycles throughout the night, beginning with loud snoring followed by short periods of silence when the patient stops breathing for 10 seconds or more. The patient then gasps or snorts and begins breathing again, restarting the cycle. Sleep partners often complain of disrupted sleep that causes irritability, resentment and marital discord.
