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Doctors warn snoring could signal heart disease, stroke, or dementia
Doctors say sleep apnoea affects about 1 billion people worldwide and can raise the risk of stroke, heart disease and dementia if untreated.
- Medical experts Dr. Ryan Chin Taw Cheong and Dr. Alanna Hare warn that heavy, persistent snoring can signal sleep apnea, a disorder affecting about 1 billion people globally yet often dismissed as normal aging.
- Throat muscles slacken during REM sleep, obstructing airways and reducing oxygen levels; obesity, menopause, and alcohol consumption increase risk, with prevalence rising significantly after age 69 in a 2-to-1 ratio favoring men.
- Sufferers often dismiss symptoms as normal aging, but partners should monitor for gasping or breathing interruptions. Dr. Cheong noted, "In the past, we would look at sleep deprivation as a badge of honor," but now recognize snoring's link to serious conditions.
- Untreated apnea strains the heart and increases risks for Alzheimer's and dementia; additionally, affected drivers are up to ten times more likely to crash due to impaired reactions, potentially causing more severe accidents.
- Experts at Royal Brompton Hospital and Royal National ENT recommend using online tools like STOP-BANG to evaluate sleep patterns, while available treatments include CPAP machines, dental appliances, or surgical nerve implants to maintain open airways during sleep.
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12 Articles
12 Articles
Coverage Details
Total News Sources12
Leaning Left2Leaning Right3Center4Last UpdatedBias Distribution45% Center
Bias Distribution
- 45% of the sources are Center
45% Center
L 22%
C 45%
R 33%
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