Nearly half of Taiwanese adults suffer from snoring, with men being nine times more prone than women. The director of the Sleep Disorder Center at National Taiwan University Hospital revealed these startling figures. He emphasized that snoring signals serious sleep risks and should not be ignored.
He shared a case of a man who had severe snoring issues. Upon further examination, doctors diagnosed him with moderate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a common sleep-related breathing disorder. OSA causes repeated interruptions in breathing during sleep, leading to poor rest and other complications. According to the doctor, about 10,000 new OSA cases appear each year in Taiwan.
Despite this, many people brush off snoring as simple tiredness. Consequently, they delay seeking medical help. This neglect can worsen their health. The expert warned that poor sleep quality affects daily life and can increase risks of heart disease, stroke, and blood sugar abnormalities.
Furthermore, interrupted sleep may harm the brain’s glymphatic system, which clears waste during rest. This damage might cause memory loss and raise the chance of dementia and neurodegenerative diseases. The root cause often lies in oxygen deprivation during sleep caused by airway blockage.
Fortunately, the man’s condition improved greatly after using a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine. This device delivers a steady airflow through a mask, keeping the airway open throughout the night. However, not all patients tolerate CPAP well. Research shows up to 83% of users remove their masks during sleep due to discomfort.
To tackle this issue, surgical treatments target airway blockages. Surgeons may correct nasal obstructions, reshape parts of the soft palate or throat, or remove excess tongue tissue. These procedures aim to ease symptoms and improve sleep quality.
In summary, experts strongly advise people to recognize that snoring signals serious sleep risks and encourage early medical consultation. Taking action can prevent serious health problems and improve overall life quality.
