Sure –
snoring is annoying, but can it actually be deadly?
No –
this does not mean being strangled in the middle of the night by a severely
annoyed spouse or partner, as tempting as that may be! But the fact is, snoring
is often related to sleep apnea, a condition where the body is deprived of
oxygen during a night of heavy zzzzz’s.
One obvious problem this causes is being tired during the
day, contributing to automobile and workplace accidents. But even worse, sleep apnea, which is
experienced by 30 million Americans, has been scientifically linked to obesity,
high blood pressure, strokes, heart attacks and diabetes. So if that low rumbling sound that keeps the
entire neighbourhood awake isn’t enough, now there is much more reason for
concern.
But
wait – it actually gets worse. A study
performed at The University of Wisconsin School Of Medicine has just shown a
significant link between sleep apnea and cancer, showing this condition
increases the risk of cancer death by almost a factor of five! “This is really
big news,” said Dr. Joseph Golish, a professor of sleep medicine with the
MetroHealth System in Cleveland. “It’s
the first time this has been shown, and it looks like a very solid association,”
he said.
There
is no doubt that the snoring can be much more serious than just a night time disturbance. So what can you do if you
or a loved one may suffer from sleep apnea?
Fortunately,
there are many ways to have this condition treated, all the way from simple
dental appliances, to surgery, to wearing night time contraptions that make you
look (and sound) like Darth Vader! Your
dentist and physician can recommend the appropriate treatment for you.
At
McLeod Dental Care, we would be glad to take a look and discuss your snoring issues
or any other dental questions you may have.
Just give us a call at 905-357-4995 and we will get you in right away!
Let’s
make tonight a quiet one!!
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