Leading Causes Of Snoring: Obesity And Smoking

Aug. 7, 2011 - PRLog -- In a report published today at qMattresses.com, obesity and smoking have been identified as the leading causes of snoring among adults. Snoring, one of the most common sleep disorders, impacts between 30% to 50% of adults, according to the website's latest post, 10 Things You Can Do To Prevent Snoring.

While most people associate the term sleeping disorders with major health-issues like sleep apnea or Bruxism, qMattresses.com points out that snoring has been linked to serious health problems such as cardiac arrest and stroke. In the most severe instances, invasive surgery involving the removal of tissue in the throat as well as radiofrequency ablation (the burning and scaring of the throat to harden the underlying region) are required.

"As with all of our Healthy Sleep reports, our aim is to educate visitors who are concerned about sleep health," said Christopher Fitch, the Site Editor. "Snoring is a sleep disorder that affects up to one half of the population, and it can evolve into more serious health problems. If you are overweight and smoke, you have a huge opportunity to put an end to what can become a severe health problem."

The website notes that obesity causes excess fat in the throat, adding stress to the airway during sleep and thereby causes snoring. And smokers who also snore are at increased risk because both have been linked directly to heart disease.

"Getting healthy is the best thing anyone can do," Fitch says. "Obesity and smoking have a way of showing up in so many different, general health problems. Both certainly have an impact on your sleep health as well. One thing this post does not mention is how particularly obesity shows up time and again when it comes to sleep health. Not just snoring, but sleep deprivation, sleep apnea and overall sleep quality. Our mission is to get a message out there. In this case that message is 'Get healthy, enjoy a better night's sleep!'"

The post points out that snoring increases as people age and is more common among males than females. It goes on to elaborate on ten ways snorers can prevent their snoring from impacting their overall quality of life and the lives of those they live with. Beginning with a push on getting healthy, the post takes on a gradually more severe tone, finally ending by highlighting invasive surgery and radiofrequency ablation as possible remedies reserved for the most severe cases.

"Imagine sitting in a doctor's office ten, fifteen years from now and being asked to choose between these invasive, painful procedures and heart disease. Now, imagine if you were obese or a smoker and you knew that you can prevent this conversation with your doctor from ever happening. Think about that for a minute and try telling me that snoring and all sleep health information is not important."

As a website focused primarily on mattress reviews qMattresses.com also publishes sleep-related health information like the one discussed here on ways to prevent snoring.

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qMattresses provides reviews on mattresses as well as other bedding accessories, including pillows, mattress toppers and protectors.