How Smoking Impacts Sleep Apnea and Snoring

It’s estimated that currently, there are 30.8 million Americans who smoke tobacco, and over 16 million of them suffer from a smoking-related disease. In addition, studies have shown that smoking directly impacts Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) patients. The worst part is that people who smoke don’t realize how their habit relates to their sleeping issues, and often quitting smoking is not one of their goals. For all of these concerns, this article will review how smoking impacts snoring, OSA, and other sleeping disorders.

The Relation Between Smoking and Snoring

There’s a close relationship between smoking and snoring. People who smoke frequently are much more prone to snoring. Smoking impacts your sleep and snoring in several ways. First, it can lead to inflammation of tissues in the upper airway, restricting airflow and generating more mucus that coats the inflammation. The narrowed airways, congestion, and post-nasal drip can cause a vibration known as snoring.

Studies show a direct connection between sleep apnea and snoring, emphasizing that the risk of snoring is two times more for smokers than non-smokers. Below, we will discuss the relationship between smoking and Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).

The Relation Between Smoking and OSA

Those with untreated OSA frequently suffer from related issues such as a compromised immune system, brain fog, tiredness, sadness, difficulty multitasking, and being more emotional. Prolonged periods of low-quality sleep can even lead to more severe conditions such as:

• Diabetes
• Cardiovascular disease
• Hormonal irregularities
• Obesity
• Mental health disorders

Smoking can lead to even more severe symptoms and more frequent breathing issues throughout the night if a patient is diagnosed with OSA too. In addition, sleep interruptions and nicotine withdrawal symptoms harshly impact sleep quality for smokers with OSA. Consequently, these patients must seek treatment for their OSA.

Tips to Use CPAP Machine for Smokers

If you insist on smoking and suffer from OSA, there are some tips to help you efficiently use your CPAP machine for sleep apnea:

• Opt for hypoallergenic filters, as they can catch even the smallest debris.
• Cleanse your machine thoroughly and more frequently to get rid of smoke chemicals.
• Use full-face masks as they help you breathe through your mouth and nose interchangeably without sacrificing the efficiency of your CPAP.
• Use appropriate nasal strips as they enhance your experience with your mask and prevent inflammation and congestion by opening nasal passageways.

The best solution to avoid sleeping disorders caused by smoking and snoring is to quit smoking. However, even reducing consumption can benefit those who suffer from OSA and use a CPAP machine.

To quit smoking, you can find a family member or a medical provider to support you, be patient with yourself, and have plans for saying no to smoking when you crave it.

Parkway Sleep Health Center

Are you a smoker with OSA? Parkway Sleep Health Center can help. After a thorough evaluation, we can recommend a treatment plan to improve your sleep including a CPAP machine for sleep apnea. Get a good night’s sleep by contacting us at 919-439-3463 and setting up an appointment today.