Many people who are interested in snoring and obstructive sleep apnea are not very knowledgeable about either of them. The following information will give you a brief overview and information background about snoring and sleep apnea.

Q. Is snoring normal?
A. Most people snore to some degree. Generally speaking it is quite normal. If snoring gets to the point where it becomes extremely loud and bothersome to others, then this degree of snoring is not considered normal.

Q. Do men snore more than women?
A. Snoring is much more prominent in men than in women.

Q. What causes snoring?
A. Snoring is most often caused by loose, weak, or excessive tissue that collapses into the airway during sleep. This tissue flutters or vibrates as air is breathed in. This fluttering tissue, like a flag flapping in a strong breeze, is the cause of the aggravating noise we know as snoring.

Q. Why does snoring occur during sleep?
A. During sleep the muscle tissue that causes snoring tends to relax. The deeper we fall asleep the more relaxed this tissue becomes. This relaxed tissue will begin to cover the airway and thus the snoring sound begins. This is why we usually do not hear ourselves snore. By the time we start to snore, we are in a deep enough sleep not to hear the noise.

Q. Why do some people snore more loudly than others?
A. Some people are simply born with the characteristics that lend themselves to be snorers. These characteristics are body structure and the anatomy of the mouth and surrounding structures. Outside factors such as medications and alcohol can also make snoring worse.

Q. What about the people who really rattle the house?
A. Snoring can be a "fire alarm" for more serious problems than just keeping others awake. Snoring can signal the existence of Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

Q. Why does alcohol make you snore louder?
A. Alcohol relaxes the tissue in the back of the throat. Since it will now collapse into the airway and vibrate easier, the snoring sound will be easier to make and therefore louder.

Q. When does regular snoring become a nuisance?
A. Whenever the sound of snoring creates a problem for the snorer, bedmate, roommate, or others in close proximity. There really is no other criteria for this other than the tolerance within the household, apartment, tent, etc.

Q. My spouse literally STOPS BREATHING. It SCARES me to death! Is this normal?
A. NO, THIS IS NOT NORMAL. It is a symptom of a far more serious problem called Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

Q. Is it up to everyone else to tolerate the loud snoring?
A. Quite frequently someone who snores loudly does not realize or believe that they do. Even when an irate partner complains about it, the snorer may still deny it. This is actually typical of problem snorers. It should be understood that because it is done uncontrollably, snorers are not at fault for their snoring. It should also be understood by snorers, that they may indeed be creating problems for others, whether they care to admit it or not.

Q. What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
A. Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a condition where the airway becomes covered, usually by the tongue, due to abnormal muscle relaxation of the tongue and surrounding muscles in the throat area. With the airway covered, a person does not breath. Since no breathing is taking place, one's oxygen level in their body drops and their heart rate increases. This lowered oxygen level is dangerous because is can cause a stroke or heart attack. The higher heart rate is dangerous because it can aggravate high blood pressure. In an attempt to breath, a person either awakens or partially awakens gasping for breath. Since an individual is always awakening to catch their breath, they never get the deep restful sleep needed by the body. This is the reason for the excessive daytime sleepiness.

Q. Is OSA dangerous?
A. YES! Sleep apnea has been linked to heart disease, strokes, high blood pressure, personality changes, impotence, depression, etc. The main symptom is excessive daytime sleepiness. Statistics show that many traffic accidents are due to driver fatigue. So, not only can we hurt ourselves, we can also inadvertently injure others.