Before doctors began studying the effects of snoring on the
body's entire system, most people thought snoring was merely an
annoyance. Usually just to the people around them.

In the 90s though, the "sleep study" clinics started showing up
in communities all over the world. Sleep study techs have
strapped tens of thousands of participants into an electronic
sensor harnesses and monitor every night's sleep. Now we have a
solid decade or more of data on the effects of snoring, sleep
apnea, and other sleeping disorders. The results are alarming
but people generally do not seem to be taking their snoring or
sleep apnea seriously.

Snoring Statistics

30% of people over age 30 snore, rising to 40% by mid life. (
British Medical Journal, 1997) This would equate to around 89
million people in the U.S. alone!

There is a 2:1 ratio of men to women who snore. After menopause
the gap closes. (Vancouver sleep and Breathing Center)

Heavy snorers can wake up, without being aware of it, over 100
times per night. This type of "sleep" causes radical declines
in health.

The Health Risks of Snoring

For the snorer, risks can range from hypertension and heart
disease to weight gain, lack of energy and a wide range of other
systemmatic problems. In short, moderate to heavy snorers can
see drastic changes in their energy levels and poor yearly
checkup results by their family doctor.

And it doesn't stop there. It has been reported that people who
sleep with a snoring partner are likely losing an hour of sleep
each night, without being snorers themselves. Health risks for
people in this situation are less severe than for the snoring
partner, but constantly getting less sleep than you need causes
its own health problems which are widely documented.

If you or your partner suffer from snoring, it is now
recommended that you ask your doctor about solutions. The first
place many seek help is on the internet, as there are a wide
variety of "stop snoring" aids available. Depending on which
one you try, results will vary. Your doctor may prescribe a
night in a sleep clinic to check for sleep apnea and whether or
not you have a remedy available through what is called a Cpap
breathing machine.

In all snoring cases, from moderate to extreme, it is crucial
that snorers and partners of snorers take this issue seriously,
now that science has fully exposed the multitude of ill effects
caused by snoring.

There are remedies for snorers. And they don't have to include
a $1500-$2000+ sleep study (which most insurance companies will
not pay for). The net is the best place to start, but beware
the snake oil salesmen. Look for proven snoring remedies and
anti-snoring devices that are well known and physician approved.

And don't forget the age old rule that many times the cheapest
and most simple devices and solutions in life are the most
successful. One example for snorers is located on the site
below.

Alan Schill is the owner and proprietor of a brilliantly simple
anti-snoring system at http://sleepgenie.com.