Most likely you have heard jokes about some people's snoring being as loud as a buzz saw in a lumberyard. However, loud snoring is not a joke. Snoring can indicate a sleep breathing problem. Twenty percent of adults have a sleep disorder known as "obstructive sleep apnea". It is obstructive because the muscles at the back of the roof of the mouth relax and sag during sleep. This blocks the airway, resulting in snoring. "Apnea" is a Greek word meaning "without air". Breathing stops when the airways are blocked. Loud snoring is interrupted with pauses in breathing, then loud gasps, when snoring resumes. This results in poor quality sleep and reduced intake of oxygen. Most sleep apnea sufferers are middle-aged, overweight men. Very loud, chronic snoring is usually the first sign of obstructive sleep apnea. It will also disrupt the sleep of the snorer's partner.

Sleep apnea can result in poor daytime performance and problems such as:
* daytime fatigue,
* difficulty concentrating,
* anxiety, irritability, or depression,
* greater potential for falling asleep while driving, and
* cardiovascular problems, such as high blood pressure, heart attack, or stroke.

If you snore loudly every night, no matter how many times you change position, you should see your healthcare provider. You may be referred to a sleep disorders clinic for a series of tests. To form good sleep habits try to:
* keep a regular routine,
* avoid the use of alcohol and sleeping pills, and
* lose weight.

If you want to learn more about sleep apnea, call or write the American Sleep Disorders Association, 1610 14th Street NW, Suite 300, Rochester, MN 55901 (507) 287-6006. Try your local library or bookstore for mor information.

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