A recent study has found a strong link between snoring and cancer mortality.
The study, which was conducted on a large sample size over a long period, concluded that people who snore regularly have a significantly higher risk of dying from cancer than those who do not snore.
The Study
The study was conducted by a team of researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles. It involved over 1,500 participants between the ages of 40 and 70 who were followed for a period of 22 years.
During this period, the researchers collected data on the participants’ snoring habits and monitored their health outcomes.
The Findings
The findings of the study were quite startling. The researchers found that people who snore regularly have a 22% higher risk of developing cancer than those who do not snore.
Furthermore, they also found that people who snore more frequently have a higher risk of dying from cancer.
Specifically, the study found that people who snored more than five nights a week had a 43% higher risk of dying from cancer than those who did not snore at all.
Those who snored less than five nights a week, but still snored regularly, had a 10% higher risk of dying from cancer.
The Mechanism
The mechanism behind the link between snoring and cancer mortality is not entirely clear. However, the researchers suggest that it may have to do with the impact of snoring on the body’s oxygen levels.
Snoring is known to disrupt sleep, and when people snore, they frequently experience brief periods of oxygen deprivation.
Over time, this can lead to chronic oxygen deprivation, which is known to be a risk factor for several health conditions, including cancer.
Furthermore, snoring is often a symptom of obstructive sleep apnea, a condition in which the upper airway becomes partially or completely blocked during sleep.
This can cause repeated episodes of oxygen deprivation, which, as mentioned earlier, can increase the risk of cancer.
What Should You Do?
If you snore regularly, it is important to take steps to address the problem. Fortunately, there are several effective remedies for snoring, including:.
- Lifestyle changes: losing weight, quitting smoking, avoiding alcohol and sedatives, and sleeping on your side instead of your back
- Oral appliances: a dentist can fit you with a custom oral appliance that helps keep your airway open during sleep
- Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP): a machine delivers air pressure through a mask worn over your nose to keep your airway open during sleep
- Surgery: in some cases, surgery may be necessary to correct structural abnormalities in the nose or throat that are causing the snoring
If you are concerned about your snoring or have other symptoms of sleep apnea, such as excessive daytime sleepiness or loud gasping during sleep, it is important to talk to your doctor.
Sleep apnea is a serious condition that can increase the risk of several health problems, including heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.
Conclusion
The link between snoring and cancer mortality is a concerning finding that highlights the importance of treating snoring in a timely manner.
If you are a regular snorer, it is important to talk to your doctor about your options for addressing the problem.