Latest news with #snoring
Free Malaysia Today
3 days ago
- Health
- Free Malaysia Today
Health professionals caution against viral ‘mouth taping' trend
According to new research, there is no evidence to support the claimed benefits of mouth taping. (Envato Elements pic) PARIS : The idea of slipping into bed with your mouth taped up may raise a smile, but it is being taken very seriously by influencers, celebrities, and even sportspeople like Norwegian footballer The idea of slipping into bed with your mouth taped up may raise a smile, but it is being taken very seriously by influencers, celebrities, and even sportspeople like Norwegian footballer Erling Haaland This nighttime habit, which has been getting millions of views on TikTok since 2022, is known as mouth taping. It has been credited with a host of virtues, from reduced snoring to improved oxygenation and a fresher complexion. In short, it's touted as a simple, affordable miracle solution – or so it seems. The scientific community, however, is much more cautious: Canadian researchers have examined this practice to scientifically evaluate its effects. Their study, published in the journal PLOS One, compiles and analyses the results of 86 previous studies – 10 of which, representing clinical data from 213 patients, were studied in depth. Their aim? To sort online beliefs from concrete medical evidence. As it turns out, there is no evidence to support the claimed benefits of mouth taping. In fact, the practice could have harmful effects, particularly for sleep apnoea sufferers. By hindering mouth breathing, the tape can make sleep-disordered breathing worse, and cause oxygen levels in the blood to drop dangerously, especially in the event of nasal obstruction. 'Our research shows that taping the mouth shut during sleep is dangerous, especially among those who may not be aware they have sleep apnoea,' said study co-author Dr Brian Rotenberg. 'These individuals are unknowingly making their symptoms worse and putting themselves at greater risk for serious health complications like heart disease.' What worries the scientific community most is the speed at which this trend is spreading – without medical validation. While taping your mouth shut before going to sleep may be perceived as a harmless action, it actually presents real risks. The researchers are, therefore, urging caution, reminding everyone that, in the face of pseudo-wellness advice posted online, only genuine medical expertise should be relied upon. 'We need to make health decisions based on strong scientific evidence,' said researcher Jess Rhee, who contributed to the study. 'Our hope is that people stop taping their mouths during sleep and recognise it is dangerous.'
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Sleep problem that affects 10million could trigger deadliest cancer - first major study to spot the link
Severe snorers may be at higher risk of one of Britain's deadliest cancer, shock new research has suggested. It is already known that patients with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), which often causes problem snoring, may be more likely to develop cancer. Now, one of the world's first trials exploring the condition and lung cancer specifically has found a 'significant' link between the two. US researchers, who assessed the health records of more than 2.4million adults, said they cannot be sure exactly why the common sleep disorder raises this risk. But they believe it may be due to the lack of oxygen people get during the night - or lifestyle factors including smoking and even obesity. Presenting the findings at the American Society of Clinical Oncology conference in Chicago, scientists urged policymakers to consider screening those with the condition for the disease and tackle sleep apnea early, soon after a diagnosis. OSA, which impacts nearly a billion people worldwide, causes the walls of the throat to relax and narrow or close for a few seconds during sleep. This triggers breathing pauses and loud snoring. Up to 3.9 million people in the UK are estimated to have moderate or severe OSA, although it is considered to be under-diagnosed affecting up to 10million. Not all snorers have sleep apnoea, but the two often go hand in hand, and the louder the snoring, the greater the chances of having it. In the study, researchers at Marshall University in West Virginia, tracked lung cancer diagnoses separating those diagnosed with OSA and those without. After accounting for factors that could skew the results, such as age and other diagnosed health conditions, they found OSA patients were 1.21 times more likely to develop lung cancer compared to those without OSA. Dr Jowan Al-Nusair, study co-author and physician at Marshall University told MailOnline it was 'one of the first statistically significant studies' to prove a link between the condition and lung cancer. 'While further studies are definitely now needed to investigate just how the significant the link truly is, this suggests OSA may be a preventable risk factor for lung cancer. 'We should be more closely monitoring patients with OSA. Patients would definitely benefit from screening and early intervention to combat OSA. 'Additional studies are essential to understand exactly why OSA may increase this risk. 'We really hope this will pave the way for future research and testing.' Lung cancer strikes around 50,000 people in the UK and 230,000 in the US every year. It is the world's biggest cancer killer. It is notoriously difficult to diagnose and often appears later when it's harder to treat. Figures show it kills four out of five patients within five years. Fewer than 10 per cent of people survive their disease for a decade or more. Despite the progress, a disparity among sexes is emerging, with women between the ages of 35 and 54 being diagnosed with lung cancer at higher rates than men in that same age group. Science has long established that smoking definitively causes lung cancer and is the primary risk factor for the disease. But lung cancer rates, which have been dropping for decades as the world weans off tobacco, are also now rising in young, otherwise healthy people who've never smoked. Experts told MailOnline the disease should not be viewed as 'an old person's disease' — as it was previously seen. Speaking at ASCO it was also suggested diet, changes in exercise habits and changes in work patterns could play a part in this increased risk. It comes as a study by The Sleep Charity last year found nine in ten people experience some sort of sleep problem. Poor sleep has been linked to a number of health problems, including cancer, stroke and infertility. Experts have long advised that waking up during the night does not necessarily mean you have insomnia, which figures suggest affects up to 14million Brits. Still, sleep deprivation takes its own toll, from irritability and reduced focus in the short term, to an increased risk of obesity, heart disease and diabetes.
CTV News
23-05-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Concerns about health risks associated with viral 'mouth taping' sleeping TikTok trend
Toronto Watch Doctors in Canada and around the world are expressing concern about a practice being touted on social media as a way to eliminate snoring and sleep apnea. However, CTV's health reporter Pauline Chan unveils it may be harmful for some people.
The Sun
17-05-2025
- Health
- The Sun
I've been suffering from snoring noise on my lung since contracting Covid – can this be cured?
OUR resident specialist and NHS GP, Dr Zoe Williams, shares her expert advice. Today, Dr Zoe helps a reader developed an asthmatic type snoring noise post-Covid. 2 2 Q)I'M a very fit 79-year-old male suffering from an asthmatic type/snoring noise on my lung, which I developed post-Covid. It's more pronounced when I lie down in bed. I go abroad every year in the hope the hot weather will dry my lungs, but without success. I am not asthmatic. Can this be cured, or is it a side effect of statins which I have been taking for over two years? A: Many different types of sounds can be heard in the lungs, which suggest a change in the way that air is flowing, and different sounds give clues towards different things. A 'snoring' type sound would suggest mucus or something else is causing an obstruction. Have you had it investigated? If not, then you should, initially with an examination by your GP and a chest X-ray. Statins can cause a lung disorder called interstitial lung disease, but it's a very rare side effect and the typical symptoms are cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, or loss of appetite with weight loss. If you have any of these symptoms, it's important to let your GP know, as they can overlap with other lung diseases. As you've had it for years and describe yourself as 'very fit' it's reassuring that it's unlikely to be sinister. TIP: Do you have a burning question about weight-loss jabs, like Ozempic? Are you curious about the side effects, whether they're right for you, or how to best eat while you're on them? I'm calling on Sun readers to send me their questions for a Live Q&A on the hot topic. No question is too big, small or silly! Send your questions to me at the address below. Lots of people snore... So when is it really a concern? Dr Verena Senn, sleep expert at Emma Sleep, told The Sun when snoring could indicate sleep apnoea - a sleep condition that causes breathing to repeatedly stop and re-start when you're asleep. The main symptoms are feeling very tired, finding it hard to concentrate and having mood swings, the NHS says. Dr Senn said that sleep apnoea can often go undetected as it can happen without the patient's knowing. "Sleep partners can therefore play a crucial role in recognising this serious disease so it can be treated." You should tell your partner to visit their GP if: Their snoring is really loud They stop breathing while sleeping They wake up gasping or choking through the night They complain of sleepiness in the daytime or headaches in the morning People with obstructive sleep apnoea will often also suffer with high blood pressure. When you stop breathing during your sleep, your nervous system kicks in and releases stress hormones which may raise blood pressure over time.
Daily Mail
17-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Snoring is ruining my marriage... could an operation help me? DR ELLIE has the answer
I am a 69-year-old woman whose snoring has got worse over the years. I've tried oral strips, which my husband says help a lot, but I'd love a permanent solution. Could surgery cure me? Dr Ellie Cannon replies: Snoring is as much a problem for your partner as for you – so you may already have your solution.
