Khaberni - Bed partners often ask: How can a person who snores continue to sleep? Science today offers clear answers to this daily mystery.
Medical studies suggest that some people do actually wake up because of snoring, but only for very brief periods that do not exceed a few seconds.
Australian sleep disorder specialist Dr. Manish Shah explains that some of those who snore are aware of these brief awakenings, while others do not notice them at all, and the person typically returns to sleep immediately without remembering what happened the following morning.
A study published in 2022 revealed that some people who snore are aware of their awakenings several times during the night due to snoring, yet the actual number of awakenings may be much larger, especially among patients with sleep apnea, where the patient may experience dozens or even hundreds of short breathing interruptions in a single night.
However, most of these interruptions do not reach the stage of full wakefulness, as the brain remains in a state of partial sleep. Other research indicates that those who snore suffer greater disruption in their sleep cycles compared to others, and that using earplugs may reduce these disturbances, indicating that noise plays a direct role in sleep quality.
But the most important question remains: Why does the sound of snoring not bother the snorer as much as it bothers those sleeping next to them?
The answer lies in how the brain functions. During sleep, the brain continues to receive sounds, but a region known as the "thalamus" acts as a smart filter, allowing only important sounds to pass through. Thus, a person can sleep despite the traffic noise outside, but wakes up immediately if someone calls their name or an alarm goes off.
According to experts, the brain deals with the sound of snoring in the same way it handles familiar and repetitive noises, considering it "unimportant" because it originates from the body itself. Shah explains that the nervous system is accustomed to this sound, thus it does not stimulate the brain to wake up, maintaining a state of rest and sleep.
Conversely, doctors affirm that ignoring snoring is not always a healthy option, especially if it is linked to sleep apnea, a condition that can lead to serious complications such as high blood pressure, heart disease, strokes, and diabetes, in addition to continual fatigue and decreased concentration.
To reduce snoring, doctors recommend changing the sleeping position, specifically avoiding sleeping on the back, as gravity contributes to increasing the obstruction of the airway. Sleeping on one side or slightly elevating the head can also help reduce the problem.
In more severe cases, it may require the use of respiratory support devices during sleep, and although they emit a low sound similar to whispering, they remain the most effective solution in protecting the patient from health complications.
While snoring may continue to be a source of annoyance for sleeping partners, experts affirm that understanding the causes and dealing with it medically is the best way to ensure peaceful sleep and better health for everyone.
