Snoring disorder: Time to change lifestyle patterns

Erratic sleeping schedules, unhealthy lifestyle patterns, excessive alcohol intake are some of the causes of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea — a case of excessive loud snoring which disturbs sleeping patterns and causes long-term complications.

When 26-year-old Rahul Yadav felt lethargic and drowsy throughout the day, little did he know that his habit of snoring had manifested into a disorder. An ENT specialist, who diagnosed him, told Yadav he was suffering from Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) — a case of excessive loud snoring which disturbs sleeping patterns and causes long-term complications.

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"Snoring was never considered a disease. It is only now that people are more aware about it. People often tend to associate snoring with deep sleep. But, it actually is just the opposite. It affects a person’s blood pressure levels and alertness as there is lack of sleep," says Dr Vijay Chouradia, a city-based ENT specialist.

OSA is usually prevalent among people above 40 years of age. However, specialists in the city say youngsters have suffered from this disorder in the past three years.

"Many people between 25 and 40 years of age are increasingly falling prey to this disorder. Around 40% of the cases which I get belong to this age group," says Dr Shailendra Ohri, another city-based ENT specialist.

Erratic sleeping schedules, unhealthy lifestyle patterns, excessive alcohol intake are some of the causes of OSA. "Snoring is caused due to many reasons. If the anatomical reasons are removed from the big picture, one can conclude that lifestyle pattern is the prime cause of OSA," says Dr Chouradia.

Making a list of the repercussions of OSA, Dr Ohri says: "Serious snoring affects the heart. If not treated on time, it can increase the blood pressure and in some cases, can even lead to severe health problems."

Advising those suffering from OSA to visit a doctor or a specialist as soon as possible, Dr Chouradia says: "People continue to ignore this disorder. They think with time, it will disappear. It is important for people to visit a specialist if they experience this problem every day. Diagnosis and treatment at the right time can remedy the disorder."