A Social Problem
Snoring has a serious impact on the snorer's bed partner and adversely affects many relationships. When the bed partner is deprived of quality sleep, this can result in separate bedrooms and, in some cases, can even lead to divorce. The combination of extreme daytime fatigue coupled with snoring can cause
marital discord and sexual dysfunction including decreased libido and impotence. Studies report that when the bed partner's sleep is affected by as much as one hour per night, it can have a negative affect on the bed partner's health.
USA Today reported that 27 percent of couples over age 40 sleep in separate bedrooms, which further demonstrates a direct correlation between this and the incidence of snoring. As the incidence of obesity continues to increase in our society, these numbers will continue to increase.
Sleep Apnea
Sleep Apnea (SA) is a cessation of breathing during sleep. Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) happens when airway blockage occurs. Besides causing sleep disruption, these blockages cause serious life-threatening conditions.
When OSA occurs, the tongue and soft tissues at the back of the throat collapse producing pauses in your breathing. This sleep disturbance can occur from a few times to several hundred times a night.
