Exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a condition of worsening respiratory system ailments, characterized by a permanent obstruction of the bronchial patency (by lowering the FEV). The disease is characterized by a persistent restriction of airflow through the lower respiratory tract, which is usually progressive and is associated with an excessive inflammatory reaction in the bronchi and lungs in response to the harmful effects of gases and dust.
The reasons
The main reasons for the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease:
• smoking tobacco,
• air pollution in the place of work or residence,
• respiratory system infections in early childhood,
• recurrent bronchopulmonary infections,
• passive smoking,
• bronchial hyperresponsiveness / asthma,
• genetic predispositions.
Getting sick with COPD depends on how your body responds to its environment. It is not clear that all people exposed to harmful environmental conditions or smoking will develop COPD. It depends mainly on genetic factors and life expectancy.
Frequency (incidence)
In Poland, approximately 10% of the population over 40 suffers from COPD. According to the World Health Organization, it is the 5th cause of death in the world. People who snore are more likely to suffer from infections of the upper respiratory tract. The mucosa of the mouth and nose, dried out by sleeping with your mouth open, is a weaker barrier to germs.A serious illness related to snoring is sleep apnea syndrome (breathing stops for more than 10 seconds). Sleep apnea causes hypoxia and cardiac arrhythmias.
Is snoring dangerous? What is sleep apnea?
Snoring can contribute to hypoxia, high blood pressure, coronary artery disease and even stroke. A disease that affects some snorers is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Every 10th snoring person suffers from OSA. This is a disorder where the upper airways collapse, preventing air from flowing into and out of the lungs, i.e. stopping breathing. The sick person is breathing, but no air enters the lungs
Apnea is interrupted by snoring sounds that occur when increased muscle tone allows air to flow again. Such loss of breath can be dangerous to your health and even life. Sleep apnea must be treated. If you snore and suspect you have sleep apnea, contact your GP for referral to a pulmonary clinic for polysomnography.
Ways to snore
For your own health, sleep comfort and peace of the household members, it is worth fighting snoring. Symptoms of snoring can help relieve:
weight reduction – obesity increases breathing disorders during sleep by excessive accumulation of fat on the neck and reducing the diameter of the throat;
quitting smoking;