Typical Symptoms

Snoring is considered an annoying habit and is often joked about, at the expense of the sufferer. It is now, however, well recognized that snoring is not just a bad habit, but often a sleep apnea syndrome causing the snorer to suffer a less restful sleep.

Snoring does not just annoy your bed partner, it actually shortens and interrupts the restful deep sleep phase (REM phase) of the snorer. Snorers who suffer from interrupted sleep often feel less rested and suffer from day-time tiredness.

The following symptoms indicate whether your snoring is affecting your health:

• daytime tiredness
• reduced ability to concentrate
• depressed moods, irritability
• headaches with usual onset in the morning
• reduced performance ability
• fatigue
• night sweats
• weight gain
• cardiac and vascular diseases such as hypertension
• loss of libido/disturbed potency

Do these symptoms sound familiar? Consult your family physician, and ask whether you should consult a dentist with experience in sleep medicine, a ENT specialist or a sleep laboratory.