Health Tips

Do you snore? Of course you do – nearly everyone snores at least a little. However, if your snoring has reached the point where it’s excessively loud and disturbing others, then it’s time to address the problem as it could very likely be having other adverse effects on your body, including causing impotence. Take heart though, as there are steps you can take to help eliminate snoring and thus lead a fuller and more enjoyable life.

But first, what exactly is snoring? Put in simplest terms, snoring occurs when the breathing passage is partially blocked by the tissues of the upper mouth. During deep sleep, the soft palate, tonsils and uvula relax and thus sag into the airway. Like a kite fluttering in the wind, these tissues vibrate against the sides of the throat and base of the tongue, producing that wonderful noise which has driven more than a few mates mad (or at least into separate bedrooms).
Though women also suffer from snoring, it is much more prominent in men, especially as they grow older. Unsurprisingly, obesity, smoking and excessive drug or alcohol consumption significantly contribute to snoring. People who sleep on their back, as well as those with nasal infections or allergies, are also more prone to problem snoring.

Loud snoring can be a sign of obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA. It is estimated that 25% of problem snorers actually have OSA, which is a much more serious condition. With OSA, the airway becomes completely blocked, frequently for more than a minute, up to hundreds of times per night. The ensuing oxygen deprivation and body spasms, especially in long-time sufferers, greatly increase the risks of heart attack, stroke, and high blood pressure, as well as memory problems, hyper irritability and headaches during the day.

How are snoring and OSA related to impotence? The connection is quite simple: the lack of fitful sleep resulting from these conditions raises our level of fatigue and susceptibility to depression. When we are tired, cranky and stressed out, it’s only natural that our sexual urges decrease, just as our appetite for food often decreases. There may be other subconscious factors, too, that we are not even aware of – excessive snoring can lead to friction in relationships, often inducing feelings of guilt or lack of confidence that affect our sexual performance. Indeed, medical studies consistently show a causal relationship between snoring, OSA and erectile dysfunction (ED).

So, what can you do? While those suffering from extreme snoring or OSA should consult with a physician, the good news is that millions of people can reduce, if not totally eliminate, both snoring and impotence with positive thinking and some constructive lifestyle changes.