snoring

Snoring is a sleeping condition that disturbs the sound asleep of others. Many people snore one way or another in their lives. It doesn't make it a good night sleep. At one time I thought only fat people snore because of the blockage to the nose or perhaps the breathing condition is blocked. Now I find it isnt fat or thin people. It affects people who may have medical problem. Science is still finding out the problem. People snore owing to the vigorous exercise too. I know for a fact it happens to me. Of course it doesnt happen all the times. It happens occasionally when I do heavy exercise. Though I always check my body weight but it still happens. Anyway I am a light sleeper....I find this article in the Yahoo website on snoring interesting read :-

No, I'm not talking about the thoughts that have raced through your bed partner's mind! I'm talking about obstructive sleep apnea.
Approximately five out of every 100 snorers have sleep apnea (that's 2-4 percent of the adult population in America). For most people, snoring is just an annoyance, but for sufferers of sleep apnea, snoring can be a significant alarm system.
People with sleep apnea have short periods during sleep where they stop breathing. These periods last anywhere from 10 seconds to 40 seconds and can occur as many as 400 times per night. If you do the math, this means that the average person with sleep apnea spends more than three hours a night not breathing normally or not breathing at all. That can't be healthy.
It's not.
Symptoms of sleep apnea include:
Loud snoring
Choking sounds during sleep
Falling asleep during the day
Trouble with memory and attention
Irritability
Decreased libido
Impotency in men and menstrual irregularities in women
Heartburn
Dry mouth in the morning
Morning headaches
Do you recognize these symptoms in yourself or your loved one? Persons with sleep apnea have a higher death rate than the average person, are five times more likely to be in a fatigue-related car accident, are 10 times more likely to have a stroke, and have high rates of hypertension and cardiac arrhythmias.
Snoring is one of those things that we don't tend to pay a lot of attention to. In fact, many people don't even bring it up when they talk to their doctor. An overnight sleep study is necessary to document sleep apnea, but, trust me - everyone will rest easier if the condition is treated properly.
Perhaps this is one item you should add to your new year's resolution list. Do any of you know anyone with sleep apnea? Or do you suffer from it yourself? If so, share your experiences.

Posted by S Brent Ridge MD