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AROUND 15 MILLION PEOPLE SHARE THIS COMMON HABIT, BUT THERE ARE OTHER SIGNS THEY SHOULD LOOK OUT FOR 18:11, 02 Feb 2025 A health specialist has issued a warning about a common sleep habit

which could be a sign of a more serious health condition. Esther Rodriguez Villegas explained how it is not uncommon for people to snore, with around 15 million in the UK doing so when their

heads hit the pillow. The professor said snoring could be attributed to a number of causes, including an obstruction in the airway, overly relaxed throat muscles or excess of tissue in the

throat, which narrows down the airway. She cautioned while often benign, snoring can sometimes indicate a more severe sleep disorder that may lead to grave health issues such as heart

disease and strokes. The condition is sleep apnoea (OSA), one of the most common serious respiratory disorders, affecting around 10 million people in the UK — with 85% of them undiagnosed.

Esther, founder of medtech company Acurable, told the ECHO: “The snoring itself is not very different but people who snore more than three days per week consistently, and those whose snoring

is very loud, are at greater risk of having OSA. “What distinguishes OSA from regular snoring is the presence of respiratory pauses or periods of significantly reduced airflow during sleep.

These episodes, known as apnoeas (complete pauses) or hypopnoeas (partial reductions in airflow), can result in insufficient oxygen reaching the bloodstream. “Each event typically lasts at

least 10 seconds, but they can last much longer and may occur dozens or even hundreds of times per night. This puts extra strain on the cardiovascular system, increasing the risk of high

blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. “Poor sleep quality can cause daytime fatigue, memory problems, and a higher risk of accidents. OSA is also linked to type 2 diabetes and can

affect mood, leading to depression or anxiety. Treating OSA improves overall health, sleep quality, and energy levels. It can be dangerous if the person has underdiagnosed OS), as the risks

of not treating this condition can range from mild to very serious. “While occasional snoring without OSA is generally not harmful, loud and frequent snoring should be evaluated to rule out

OSA and its associated health risks. Early diagnosis and treatment can significantly improve health and well-being.” Article continues below Esther explained that one should worry if they

wake up suddenly feeling like they're choking or if someone else observes pauses in breathing during sleep. However, even without these signs, snoring accompanied by other symptoms—such

as morning headaches, low mood, tiredness, and irritability—should not be ignored, as they may indicate underlying health issues like obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA).