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Stroke is said to be one of the leading causes of death in Japan. Did you know that there is a causal relationship between stroke and snoring? If you snore very loudly on a regular basis, you should be very careful as it could lead to serious illnesses such as stroke.
What is a "stroke" that can be life-threatening?
Many blood vessels run through our brains, supplying them with the oxygen and nutrients they need. A "stroke" is a disease that occurs when these blood vessels rupture and bleed, or become blocked.
Strokes can be broadly divided into "cerebral infarction," where blood vessels in the brain become blocked, and "cerebral hemorrhage," where blood vessels in the brain rupture and bleed. Both cerebral infarction and cerebral hemorrhage can cause symptoms such as paralysis, speech disorders, and impaired consciousness. And in the worst cases, it is a very frightening disease that can lead to death.
The number of stroke patients is currently said to be around 1.5 million, and it is one of the leading causes of death in Japan, along with cancer and heart disease.
Snoring increases the risk of stroke
Snoring does not only cause inconvenience to those around you by making loud noises during sleep, but if it becomes severe, it can also lead to sleep apnea syndrome.
There is also data indicating that sleep apnea syndrome increases the risk of various diseases, and it is particularly known to significantly increase the risk of cerebrovascular and cardiovascular diseases such as stroke.
Sleep apnea syndrome is a risk factor for stroke, but in rare cases, stroke can cause snoring to persist. This is an emergency that requires immediate attention.
This kind of snoring is a danger sign!
If the following phenomena are observed simultaneously with the onset of snoring, it is possible that the snoring is caused by a stroke, and immediate action is required:
- Does not wake up even when stimulated... because the person has lost consciousness due to a stroke.
- Convulsions
- Cheyne-Stokes respiration is occurring
- Snoring louder than usual... because paralysis of the body's motor functions and muscle relaxation due to a stroke lead to tongue base depression, resulting in louder snoring.
Cheyne-Stokes respiration is a condition in which breathing changes from shallow to deep, followed by a 10-20 second period of apnea, and then the cycle of apnea and resumption of breathing repeats. One cycle is often about 30 seconds to 2 minutes.
What are the characteristics of people who are prone to stroke?
Not limited to snoring, lifestyle-related diseases such as hypertension and diabetes increase the risk of stroke. Work stress and overwork also increase the risk of stroke, so busy working-age people also need to be careful. Elderly people whose blood vessels have hardened (arteriosclerosis) with age are more prone to ruptured or blocked blood vessels, so their risk of stroke is much higher than that of younger generations.
Regardless of age, the highest risk of stroke is among patients with lifestyle-related diseases who continue to have an unhealthy diet. People whose diet consists mainly of high-salt or high-calorie foods, or who consume excessive alcohol, are at risk.
The risk of stroke is said to increase from the 30s, so from the 30s onwards, be aware of your blood pressure and physical condition, and try to eat a healthy, low-salt diet. It is also recommended to have a relaxing hobby or engage in moderate exercise. You can also undergo regular brain checkups to understand the health of your brain.
If you have any concerning symptoms or abnormalities, consult a doctor.
Snoring can sometimes be a sign of a life-threatening illness like a stroke, so don't dismiss it as "just snoring." If you have any concerning symptoms or abnormalities, consult a doctor.
I know several people who had a stroke at a young age, and post-stroke examinations revealed that they had sleep apnea syndrome. When people are young, active, and working hard, they tend to be oblivious to sleep disorders, and without realizing it, abnormal blood vessels and high blood pressure due to sleep apnea can suddenly cause a breakdown.
Sleep apnea syndrome is a condition that can be easily noticed by a bed partner with some knowledge. Both the individual and their family should be vigilant before it becomes irreversible.
