Posted on July 3, 2015

Snoring is a common condition that can affect anyone, but occurs more frequently in men, and people who are overweight. For those who do snore, it has a tendency to worsen with age.

Occasional snoring is usually not very serious, mostly just a nuisance for your bed partner.  If you are a habitual snorer, you not only disrupt the sleep of those around you, but impair your own sleep quality.

Habitual snorers  are at risk for serious health problems, including obstructive sleep apnea, which can cause:

Interruptions of breathing (lasting from a few seconds to minutes) during sleep caused by partial or total blockage of the airway. Frequent waking from sleep, even though you may not realize it. Light sleeping. Waking up so many times a night interferes with the normal pattern of sleep causing more time to be spent in light sleep than in more restorative, deeper sleep. Strain on the heart. Prolonged suffering from obstructive sleep apnea often results in higher blood pressure and may cause enlargement of the heart, with higher risks of heart attack and stroke. Poor night’s sleep. This leads to drowsiness during the day, interferes with your ability to focus, and increases the risk for car accidents.