TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Around 45% of adults in Taiwan snore, with men nine times more likely than women to develop the condition, according to Hsu Wei-chung (許巍鐘), director of the Sleep Disorder Center at National Taiwan University Hospital.

Hsu cited the case of a man with severe snoring who was later diagnosed with moderate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), the most common sleep-related breathing disorder. OSA causes people to stop and start breathing repeatedly during sleep.

He emphasized that snoring is a key symptom of OSA, with approximately 10,000 new cases diagnosed in Taiwan each year. However, many people dismiss snoring as a sign of fatigue and fail to seek medical attention, per CNA.

Hsu warned that poor sleep quality can impact daily life and increase long-term risks of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and abnormal blood sugar levels.

He also noted that disrupted sleep may impair the brain’s glymphatic system, which is responsible for clearing waste during rest. This dysfunction could lead to memory decline and increase the risk of dementia and neurodegenerative diseases due to oxygen deprivation.

The man’s condition improved significantly with the use of a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine. The device delivers a steady stream of air through a sealed face or nasal mask during sleep, keeping the airway open and preventing blockages.

However, not all patients tolerate CPAP therapy. According to China Medical University, up to 83% of patients unintentionally remove their masks during sleep due to discomfort.

The university added that because airway obstructions can occur in the nose, soft palate, or tongue base, various surgical options are available to relieve symptoms of OSA. These include procedures to correct nasal blockages, reshape parts of the soft palate or throat, or remove excess tongue tissue.