Many of us who snore do not give it a second thought unless we are disturbing our sleep partner. It is important to understand, however, that continuous and frequent loud snoring may be an indication of sleep apnea, a potentially serious health issue.
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea refers to interrupted sleep due to an airway obstruction, causing breathing to pause or become shallow. Untreated, this condition prevents your natural sleep rhythm for providing restful, restorative sleep. Daytime sleepiness, poor concentration and lack of focus can all be attributed to sleep deprivation. Overtime, serious health problems including diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke and weight gain may develop as a result of sleep apnea.