Association Between Snoring and Respiratory Infections

Introduction

Almost all people snore now and then. However, snoring is not considered good for health. It is usually considered harmless, but occasionally, it can suggest a grave underlying health problem in a few individuals. It is, therefore, important to identify the cause of snoring because it may be a sign of a serious respiratory infection.

What Is Snoring?

A hoarse sound is produced when the air that flows through the relaxed tissues of the throat causes them to vibrate during the process of breathing. When the following symptoms are associated with snoring, it becomes crucial to consult a healthcare professional immediately to evaluate the underlying condition.

• Obstructive sleep apnea (pauses in breathing during sleep).

• Feeling extremely sleepy during the daytime, mostly daily.

• Lack of concentration.

• Restlessness during sleep.

• Early morning headaches.

• Sore throat.

• Agonal breathing (gasping respiration).

• Hypertension (high blood pressure).

• Pain in the chest at night.

• Loud and erratic snoring hinders a partner’s sleep.

• Behavioral issues are seen in children.

What Are the Causes of Snoring?

The most important causes of snoring include -

• Sleeping Position - Sleeping posture can affect breathing patterns. Sleeping on the back can lead to snoring by collapsing the airways. So, it is always helpful to change positions while sleeping or to sleep on the side.

• Older People - As age increases, the throat may narrow down, weakening the throat muscles and making the person more susceptible to snoring. Usually, older men have a narrow passage and are more susceptible to the problem of snoring.

• Obesity - Increased fat in the face and neck can increase the pressure on the airway. This, in turn, may increase the chance of snoring. It is better to shed some weight to avoid this problem.

• Alcohol - Alcohol leads to the relaxation of the throat muscles, thereby increasing the risk of snoring. It is always better to limit the intake of alcohol for good sleep.

• Smoking - Smoking also relaxes the muscles of the throat muscles. It might cause sinusitis (sinus inflammation), which can lead to snoring. It is better to quit smoking.

• Throat Problems - Most people who snore have sinus or throat problems. Sinus inflammation, nasal polyps, sore throat, or other chronic conditions can affect the quality of breathing. This may increase the risk of snoring. However, seeking medical help is important to reduce inflammation and clear the airways for sound sleep.

Can Snoring Be a Sign of Respiratory Infections?

Yes, snoring can be considered a sign of respiratory infection. The association between snoring and respiratory diseases is bidirectional. Snoring can increase the susceptibility of the person to respiratory infections and vice versa. Snoring is usually present as a clinical sign in patients suffering from respiratory diseases. Obstructive sleep apnea is a common clinical problem seen in individuals who snore loudly. It is usually characterized by erratic snoring followed by pauses in breathing. This pause in breathing may awaken the individual with a heavy gasping sound. This breathing pattern is repeated several times during sleep. This leads to a disruptive sleep cycle in an individual. Snoring can lead to sleep apnea which in turn may be an early indicator of several respiratory diseases or infections.

• Pneumonia - Obstructive sleep apnea may increase the risk of developing chronic pneumonia in snoring individuals. Patients who snore are more likely to develop pneumonia than people who do not snore. Therefore, the person becomes vulnerable to pneumonia which is a serious life-threatening condition. Also in addition, there is chest congestion in pneumonia patients, which can cause snoring in the patient. Thus the effect of snoring on respiratory diseases is bidirectional.

• Bronchial Asthma - Obstructive sleep apnea raises the risk of chronic bronchial asthma. Snoring is usually found to be associated with wheezing and asthma. On the other hand, asthmatic patients present with the symptom of snoring more commonly because there is oxygen insufficiency in these patients that can cause pauses while breathing, leading to the problem of snoring.

• Chronic Bronchitis - Snoring is commonly present in individuals suffering from chronic bronchitis (upper airway inflammation).

• Lung Inflammation - Obstructive sleep apnea usually leads to lower concentrations of blood oxygen that can trigger inflammation in the lungs.

• COVID-19 Patients - Snoring has been found to be a critical predisposing risk factor for several viral respiratory infections in COVID-19 affected patients. Recent research shows that snoring is an activity that produces droplets. Respiratory infections are mainly transmitted through airborne media containing microbial pathogens. So, COVID-19 patients who are more vulnerable to snoring have a higher risk of developing viral respiratory infections. Also, intermittent hypoxia (lack of oxygen) in SARS-CoV-2 patients can lead to altered lung ventilation, thereby increasing the risk of snoring in such individuals.

How Snoring Can Be Treated?

The management of snoring depends on the cause of snoring. If respiratory infections, sinus problems, nasal polyps, or asthma are the cause, it is important to consult a specialist doctor and get the underlying condition treated at the earliest. COVID-19 patients should wear masks on a regular basis. The use of dental mouthpieces is also advocated to treat this problem. Clinicians will focus on eliminating the cause of nasal and chest congestion. This will relieve the problem of snoring.

Conclusion

Snoring can become a serious problem if it is related to underlying medical conditions like respiratory diseases. Research has shown a bidirectional effect of snoring on respiratory infections. Both are associated in a way that they influence each other. Therefore, measures should be taken to alleviate snoring and respiratory infections because both have a conclusive effect on each other. It is important to control snoring because that will improve the quality of sleep and will also reduce the risk of acquiring respiratory infections.