Snoring used to be perceived as just an annoyance, especially to any else trying to sleep in the same room. Some people stopped breathing briefly, but almost always started up again. They were perceived as having nothing wrong with them. Now, perceptions have changed as the knowledge of sleep disorders has increased.

Many people who snore have a condition called sleep apnea (SA), in which they wake up many times during the night without realizing it. They constantly stop breathing, wake up, catch their breath, and go back to sleep again. This can result in a lot of fatigue during the day. People with sleep apnea are much more likely to be involved in a car accident than those who do not have the disorder.

Sleep apnea can also be fatal. Men with severe, but untreated SA, were significantly more likely to die of heart problems suddenly within the night as compared to men who did not have the condition. The constant waking up generates a fear-and-flight response that puts stress on the heart and causes blood pressure to spike. An increase in the number of strokes is another outcome of this formerly unknown condition.

While not every person who suffers from this sleep disorder is overweight, there is a strong correlation with obesity. Being obese is also a predisposition for getting Type II diabetes.  Having untreated sleep apnea worsens diabetes.

SA also causes a lack of oxygen being supplied to the brain. This affects the part of the brain responsible for long-term memory. It is possible to suffer long-term memory loss while you sleep! Also, this condition can worsen mood disorders such as depression and bipolar disorder.

If you think you may have sleep apnea, your doctor will refer you to a sleep clinic. If you are diagnosed with this condition, you may require surgery to remove excess tissue from your throat. The most common treatment is a CPAP mask, which should be worn nightly and can make you feel like a new person. Many people do not realize how debilitating this disorder is until they have been cured.