A sleep expert has shed light on how vaping might interfere with your ability to enjoy a restful night’s sleep, possibly affecting your partner’s rest as well.
Daylight Savings has returned, potentially leaving your sleep routine somewhat disrupted. While our bodies will eventually adjust to the change, other elements of your everyday life could be influencing your sleep more than you realize.
Besides well-known factors like alcohol, caffeine, and screen time, Martin Seeley, a sleep expert at MattressNextDay, has elaborated on how vaping might be affecting your bedtime routine.
There’s little worse than waking up with a dry mouth, and Seeley has discussed how vaping might be contributing to this sensation.
Seeley initially highlighted the effects of smoking on sleep, noting: “If you’re a smoker, not only does it affect your long-term health, but it could be making you snore, too. Cigarette and tobacco smoke irritates the airways and the throat, which can cause swelling. A build-up of catarrh also blocks not just the throat but the nasal passages, which interrupts the flow of air and causes the soft tissue to vibrate.”
Elaborating on how vaping can cause ‘just as much irritation’ as smoking, Seeley stated: “In fact, the first controlled study into vaping’s long-term effects was published last week, showing that vaping may be more harmful than smoking and cause even more irritation.”
“Vaping can cause dryness in the throat due to ingredients like propylene glycol, which draws moisture out.”
In addition to drying out your throat, Seeley noted that nicotine consumption can relax the throat muscles.
This relaxation can lead to ‘airway collapse or partial obstruction.’
Both dry throat and potential airway blockages can result in snoring, with Seeley explaining how a lack of moisture can make throat tissues ‘more prone to vibration.’
Regarding partial airway obstruction, he advised: “If you do smoke or vape, try to quit or avoid doing so before you go to bed. This should give your throat a chance to relax.”
Explaining the mechanics of snoring, Seeley said: “Snoring is the sound of your soft palate and other tissue in the mouth, nose and throat vibrating. If there’s a blockage – whether that’s due to blocked sinuses, the throat being slightly closed due to the angle of the head and neck, or various other reasons – it can cause this soft tissue to vibrate.”
“The type of snoring will indicate which area of soft tissue is vibrating. A soft, gentle snore indicates that your nasal passages are blocked, while a deep, loud snoring sound is a sign that the back of the throat is blocked.”
To reduce snoring and likely avoid disturbing anyone sharing your bed, Seeley suggested sleeping on your side, avoiding alcohol before bed, and maintaining a healthy diet. Additionally, investing in some new pillows might help mitigate snoring.