A sleep specialist at the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC), Rudolph Obo Addy, has cautioned that persistent snoring may be a sign of a serious sleep disorder that often goes undiagnosed.

Speaking on JoyNews on Friday, March 13, Dr Addy said many people suffering from sleep-related conditions are unaware of the problem because the symptoms typically occur while they are asleep.

He explained that Insomnia—a condition characterised by difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep—is one of the most common sleep disorders affecting many people.

“Insomnia is a big problem where people have difficulty either falling asleep or staying asleep. There are different things that can cause it, and it’s important to find out what exactly is causing the problem,” he said.

Treat the cause, not just the symptoms

Dr Addy emphasised that treatment should focus on identifying the underlying cause of sleep disorders rather than immediately resorting to medication.

“There is a tendency to just give medication to people, but it’s important to determine the cause first. Once you know the cause, then you can treat it properly,” he explained.

Obstructive sleep apnoea often goes unnoticed

He also highlighted Obstructive Sleep Apnea as one of the major sleep-related health conditions that often goes unnoticed.

According to him, the condition occurs when a person’s breathing is repeatedly interrupted during sleep.

“Obstructive sleep apnoea is when your breathing is interrupted at intervals when you are sleeping, and the person who is suffering from it may not necessarily be aware of it themselves,” he said.

Dr Addy noted that snoring is often one of the earliest signs of the condition, although many people mistakenly believe it indicates deep sleep.

“People often make jokes about snoring and think that when you are snoring loudly, you are sleeping very soundly. But snoring actually indicates there may be a problem,” he stated.

How snoring occurs

He explained that snoring occurs when air is forced through a narrowed airway in the throat.

“When you make a sound while breathing during sleep, it means the space in the throat has become smaller than it should be,” he added.

Dr Addy further explained that in obstructive sleep apnoea, the airway may temporarily close during sleep, causing breathing to stop momentarily.

“There are intervals where the snoring may stop. At that point, either the airway opens again, and you breathe normally, or it closes. When it closes, your oxygen level drops, you briefly wake up to take a breath, then you fall asleep again,” he said.

Serious health risks

He warned that repeated interruptions in breathing during sleep can lead to serious health complications.

“This condition is associated with major health problems including high blood pressure, heart rhythm irregularities, stroke and heart attack,” he noted.

According to him, repeated drops in oxygen levels during the night can also affect brain function.

“Even people who are experiencing problems with their thinking may actually be dealing with this condition because of repeated drops in oxygen levels during sleep,” he said.

Dr Addy, therefore, urged the public to take persistent snoring seriously.

“We often think snoring means you are sleeping well, but snoring can actually be a warning sign that something is wrong,” he cautioned.