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Snoring is very common. In fact, almost every breathing being on the planet snores. Babies snore, teenagers snore, and of course middle-aged men like me snore. That doesn’t mean that everyone snores all the time – it just means that from time to time we all make those irritating, loud, trumpet-like sounds when we sleep. And when it happens just periodically, it’s no big deal. But when it happens all the time, it can be a big problem.

There are three main reasons why constant snoring is a problem. The first reason is because it will wake up and bother your sleep partner. That’s not a good thing. The second reason is because snoring constantly will tend to disrupt your own sleep and leave you feeling more tired and less rested. The third reason is that snoring constantly could be a tell-tale sign that you’re a sleep apnea sufferer and that carries with it some severe health care risks.

Snoring occurs because the airway becomes partially blocked when we sleep. Our own muscle tissue is to blame as it relaxes so much that it actually closes off our airway. When the airway is only partially closed, we snore but when the airway is completely closed, we experience sleep apnea.

A person suffering with sleep apnea will stop breathing several times each night. They will move into and out of these breathing stoppages in a cyclical fashion. Here’s how it works.

As the airway becomes blocked, breathing becomes impaired until it stops completely. It takes several moments for the brain to recognize that this has happened but when it does it jolts the body into a more alert state. The body wakes up a bit and adjusts enough to open the airway back up. From there, regular breathing resumes only to stop again when the next blockage occurs.

Because this goes on many times during the night, the sleep apnea sufferer spends more time in lighter sleep and less time in deeper sleep. That means less true rest which translates into feeling more run-down and tired during the day. It also means having a lot of trouble focusing on the details of the job or life. Ultimately, if the sleep apnea goes untreated, there are more severe long-term effects that affect the heart and lungs. Sleep apnea can even contribute to the onset of congestive heart failure.

So while snoring is not always a symptom of sleep apnea, it is at the very least an indicator that it could be occurring. Before airways become completely blocked, they usually become partially blocked. And there is a strong relationship between snoring and sleep apnea.

If you have a sleep partner, they can help you figure out if you’re just an irritating snorer or a sleep apnea sufferer since they can directly witness what goes on with your breathing while you sleep. But even if you sleep alone and you merely suspect you’re a big snorer, do yourself a favor and talk to your doctor about it. There are several methods for dealing with sleep apnea so that it doesn’t have to ruin your days and affect your long-term health. One effective method that’s used today is called CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) therapy. Take a little time, do a little investigating – you might just sleep easier.

You can learn more about CPAP machines, CPAP humidifiers, and even CPAP Mask Comfort by visiting CPAP Supplies.

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