If you snore, you might want to take notice of new research linking sleep apnea with higher mortality rates due to cancer. According to a recent study, snoring could increase your risk of dying from cancer by almost five times.

What is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder in which a person experiences pauses in breathing or shallow breaths while sleeping. These pauses can last from a few seconds to minutes and can occur multiple times throughout the night.

When a person experiences sleep apnea, their brain wakes them up from deep sleep so they can resume normal breathing. As a result, they spend less time in deep sleep and more time in light sleep, which can leave them feeling exhausted during the day.

The Study

The study, which was conducted by researchers from the University of Sydney, followed the sleep patterns of 1,500 subjects for 20 years.

The study found that those who snored loudly and had sleep apnea were almost five times more likely to die from cancer than those who did not snore or have sleep apnea.

The study also found that those who had sleep apnea were at a higher risk of developing other health issues such as heart disease and diabetes.

How Snoring Increases Cancer Risk

While the exact cause of how snoring increases the risk of cancer is not yet clear, there are several theories. One theory is that a lack of oxygen in the body due to sleep apnea can cause inflammation, which can contribute to cancer development.

Another theory is that the lack of oxygen can weaken the immune system, making it harder for the body to fight off cancer cells.

Preventing Sleep Apnea

While snoring and sleep apnea can be scary, there are ways to prevent it. One of the most effective ways is to maintain a healthy weight, as obesity is one of the leading causes of sleep apnea. Other ways to prevent sleep apnea include:.

Avoiding alcohol, tranquilizers, and sleeping pills, as they can relax the muscles in your throat and make it harder to breathe.
Quitting smoking, as it can increase inflammation in the body and adversely affect breathing.
Sleeping on your side rather than your back, as it can help keep your airway open.

Conclusion

If you are a snorer or have sleep apnea, it’s important to take steps to reduce your risk of cancer and other health issues.

Maintaining a healthy weight and making lifestyle changes can go a long way in improving your sleep and reducing your risk of developing health problems.