Smoking doesn’t just harm your lungs; it’s also linked to snoring and sleep apnea. Beyond affecting you, it impacts those around you too.
The connection lies in changes to nasal and throat passages, increasing the risk of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).
This article explores how smoking can affect your sleep by causing or worsening snoring and sleep apnea.
Table of Contents
Does Smoking Cause Snoring?
Yes, smoking can make snoring more likely. When you smoke, you inhale chemicals that irritate and inflame the tissues in your airways. This irritation disrupts the normal flow of air when you breathe.
Smoking also makes your respiratory system produce more mucus. This excess mucus can lead to congestion, making it difficult for air to pass through easily. The combination of irritated airways and increased mucus sets the stage for snoring.
Smoking creates conditions that promote snoring by causing congestion and narrowing airways. As air tries to move through these obstructed pathways, it causes tissues to vibrate, resulting in the sound of snoring.
Studies show a connection between smoking and a higher risk of snoring. In one study with 811 adults, current smokers were found to be 2.3 times more likely to snore than non-smokers.
There’s also a suggestion that exposure to secondhand smoke might contribute to an increased likelihood of snoring, but more research is needed for a full understanding.
Can Smoking Cause OSA?
Smoking is a significant factor in the development and worsening of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). The process starts with the inflammatory and irritating effects of smoking on the respiratory system, leading to a narrowing of the upper airways. This narrowing makes it more challenging for air to flow freely during breathing.
Moreover, smoking stimulates the production of mucus and can result in congestion. The excess mucus and congestion contribute to post nasal drip, further obstructing the air passages. These conditions increase the likelihood of experiencing airway blockages during sleep, a key characteristic of OSA.
One notable impact of smoking on sleep is the disruption of sleep patterns. Smokers often experience nicotine withdrawal symptoms during the night, leading to interruptions in their sleep. These interruptions can exacerbate the effects of OSA, where breathing pauses occur, and the body momentarily wakes up to resume normal breathing.
Studies have supported the observation that people diagnosed with OSA who also smoke tend to exhibit more severe symptoms. They experience more frequent breathing pauses during the night compared to non-smokers with OSA.
Smoking can also worsen other risk factors associated with OSA. While OSA commonly manifests in middle age, smoking can accelerate its onset, potentially leading to the development of sleep apnea in a person’s 20s or 30s.
Read more: Snoring vs. Sleep Apnea
Can Secondhand Smoke Exposure Create Snoring and Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is often associated with adults, particularly those who are middle-aged, elderly, or overweight. However, it’s not exclusive to adults; around 1 to 5 percent of children also experience obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Unlike in adults, childhood OSA often resolves on its own. Yet, addressing sleep disorders in children is crucial to reduce the risk of future health problems, especially if they’re exposed to secondhand smoke regularly.
A study published in the International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology delved into the connection between secondhand smoke and sleep apnea in children. The findings were intriguing—children with severe sleep apnea who were exposed to secondhand smoke had a higher risk of both apnea (pauses in breathing) and hypopnea (shallow breathing) compared to those not exposed to secondhand smoke.
The implications are significant. It suggests that the effects of secondhand smoke extend beyond respiratory issues and can impact sleep health, even in children. Therefore, reducing exposure to secondhand smoke is not only essential for respiratory health but may also play a role in preventing or mitigating sleep apnea, particularly in vulnerable populations like children.
Can Quitting Smoking Improve Snoring?
Yes, quitting smoking can improve snoring, but it’s not an instant fix. Although the damage isn’t undone overnight, positive changes do happen.
For those without Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), quitting smoking reduces the likelihood of developing it. This is because the inflammation in the airways, caused by smoking, starts to decrease fairly quickly.
Here’s why quitting smoking matters for reducing snoring:
Body Recovery: When you quit, your body gets a chance to bounce back. Inflammation decreases, catarrh (excessive mucus) goes down, and your airways open up, functioning better than before.
Deeper Sleep: Quitting helps you plunge into deeper, more restful sleep.
- Feel-Good Factor: Sleeping better sets the stage for an overall feel-good vibe, encouraging healthier choices like exercise, weight loss, and better eating habits.
Sure, it might take time, especially for long-time smokers. But within four years of quitting, your snoring can drop to levels comparable to if you never smoked at all.
In fact, it’s not just about snoring – quitting also lowers risks linked to snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). Think high blood pressure, obesity, insomnia, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, erectile dysfunction, and acid reflux.
Quitting is no walk in the park, we get it. Not everyone is ready to quit altogether, but even cutting down on the number of cigarettes can make a difference in snoring and overall well-being.
If quitting seems tough, here’s a tip: if you must smoke, aim for that last cigarette at least four hours before bedtime. It gives your body a head start in minimizing the effects, potentially reducing snoring and helping you sleep better
Snoring less (and smoking less or not at all) doesn’t just benefit you. It can also make your relationships smoother – be it with your partner, kids, or others at home – while boosting their health too.
For mild cases of sleep apnea, you may consider using some anti-snoring devices or anti-snoring mouthpieces.
Tips on Quitting Smoking
Quitting smoking is a tough challenge, but there are strategies to boost your chances of success:
Build a Support System: Let your family, friends, and healthcare provider know about your decision to quit smoking. Their support, encouragement, and understanding can be crucial in your journey toward a smoke-free life.
Explore Available Resources: There are numerous resources designed to aid individuals in quitting smoking. Take the time to explore different options and find what works best for you. Some find success with nicotine replacement therapies like patches, gum, or inhalers, while others prefer medications or counseling. Your healthcare provider can help you choose the most suitable approach based on your needs.
Stay Committed: Making the decision to quit smoking is a significant milestone. It’s crucial to stay committed to your goal. Quitting requires effort and determination, but the rewards are substantial. Take it one day at a time and remind yourself of the benefits that await you as a non-smoker.
Focus on the Benefits: Quitting smoking not only reduces the risk of snoring but also significantly improves overall health and well-being. By quitting, you lower the chances of developing severe conditions like heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer. Additional perks include an enhanced sense of taste and smell, along with increased energy for your daily activities.
Dr. John Williams is a sleep specialist. He offers Sleep Telemedicine to help people deal with various sleep disorders, particularly sleep apnea.
Graduating from the University of Zagreb’s School of Medicine, he investigates the cellular mechanisms of vascular endothelial dysfunction in obstructive sleep apnea. He also addresses cardiovascular complications of sleep deprivation and COPD. So if you have any sleep problems, let Dr. John Williams help you out.