Snoring can cause sleep apnea, which can weaken the lungs and heart. (image: Korea Bizwrie)
SEOUL, Apr. 20 (Korea Bizwire) — The number of Koreans undergoing surgical treatment for snoring has increased 63.7 percent from 2,554 in 2009 to 4,182 in 2013, according to an article in a web magazine published by the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) on April 18.
Men were more likely to receive such treatments than women, as 87.6 percent of the recipients in 2013 were men, mostly in their thirties and forties. Most women who underwent similar surgical procedures were in their forties or fifties.
Snoring can cause sleep apnea, which can weaken the lungs and heart. Sufferers of sleep apnea may have issues with excessive fatigue during the day, and impaired alertness.
Sleeping on your side with thick pillows can help alleviate snoring. As fat around the neck is a factor that contributes to snoring, exercising to maintain a healthy weight can be helpful. Drinking or overeating three hours before bedtime can also aggravate snoring.
Snoring is also recognized by the Korean Army as an important physical factor in classifying soldiers for Korea’s mandatory military service.
By Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
