According to Lynn A. D'Andrea, a sleep specialist at the University of Michigan Medical School, snoring is not an illness, but it is a symptom. Just as a cough can be a symptom of pneumonia, snoring can be a symptom of obstructive sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea is a disorder characterized by snoring, labored breathing and repetitive obstructed pauses or gasps in a person�s breathing during sleep. The obstructed pauses result from complete obstruction or blockage of the airway and may be associated with decreases in oxygen levels. Typically, the obstruction is terminated by an arousal�that is, the snorer briefly wakes up--leading to fragmented, less restful sleep. Obstructive sleep apnea can cause excessive daytime sleepiness, decreased attention and poor concentration, and decreased energy levels. The consequences of these behavioral problems can be quite severe and include motor vehicle accidents if a sufferer becomes inattentive or falls asleep while driving. Obstructive sleep apnea is also causally related to vascular complications such as hypertension. Snoring without evidence of obstructive sleep apnea may be an independent risk factor for hypertension and the daytime behavioral problems mentioned above, but how snoring alone causes problems remains unknown.
The prevalence of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea seems to increase with age, especially after 65 years of age. Additional risk factors associated with the development of snoring include weight gain, alcohol consumption, allergies, nasal obstruction, use of muscle relaxants or sedatives, and smoking.
Source: Scientific America
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Thanks for this info.
My husband has sleep apnea, but is not old, over-weight, a drinker/smoker or many of the factors listed above.
He does, however, suffer from allergies quite badly. It's interesting to see that there may be a link there. He sees his allergist in a couple of months, I must get him to mention this.
February 20, 2009 - 2:36pmThis Comment
My DH is a smoker, but not overweight (and I don't consider 60 old!). His smoking does aggravate his allergic reactions to pollen and animal dander. Yes, he snores - occasionally. It's usually when his head is in an awkward position, so I have to shake him to get him to move.
I know I have a tendency to snore if my allergies are particularly bad. But, I wake myself up when it happens, lol!
My daughter has been diagnosed with sleep apnea due to a deviated septum that was recently surgically corrected. No more snoring; but, she still has to learn how to sleep through the night.
February 20, 2009 - 5:25pm