Ways to Prevent the Causes of Snoring

Posted by Apnea
Categorized Under: General
Dated: 16 Feb 2011
Comments: 0

The point that snoring is very common, almost everyone has become accustomed or have gotten used to this condition.

It’s brought on by loosely dangling flesh that stop the regular air passage in the throat. Such things happen when the entire body and the muscle tissue surrounding the throat are at their most relaxing positions. This clarifies why although we virtually inhale and exhale all day every day, solely while asleep will we encounter loud snoring.

Another congestion within the throat can be caused by the tongue. The narrowing of your throat creates vibrations where the pressure may be doubled or also tripled according the rate of the oxygen that passes through.

Techniques happen to be formulated in order to stop the reasons for the blockage of such muscles.

One method to stop blockage of tongue and other loose muscle groups is by staying away from lying on the back while asleep. Along with gravity, the actual tongue and loose muscle groups will have the inclination to fall back to the particular throat when lying on your back. With this particular cause it’s encouraged for snorers to sleep on their sides.

The earliest created gadget in preventing someone from falling on his back in the course of sleeping is a golf ball in a sock which is sewn on the middle of a pajama shirt.

Probably the most typical reasons for loud night breathing is obesity. Obese people possess high risk of snoring because of the additional flesh that can add up the loose muscle groups. With such unstrained muscles, the air passages are obstructed which eventually lead to noisy resonating snores. Therefore this indicates how the weightier a person is, the louder and much deeper the snores are.

Obviously, the very best strategy to prevent the development of way too fleshy throats is not to raise the bar on the weighing scale. You would not only be rescued from the variety of coronary diseases, individual impairments and lack of self esteem, you would additionally break free from the loud noises your throat generates at night.

There are various ways of shedding pounds. From yoga exercise to going on a diet, locate one that would fit you best. Have patience in waiting for the effects of weight reduction to come though. Remember that you didn’t put on weight in a single day which means you will not lose it over night either. It takes much painful effort when you’re hastening things to come your way. Work on it and never quit on following a diet plan or fitness program. You know that it really is all worthwhile.

Things that stimulate relaxation can also bring about snores. Therefore, you have to refrain from alcohol consumption or drugs that has this very impact before going to bed. Additionally, these types of ingredients can make your breathing in sluggish. Be careful furthermore not to get too tired during the day so that you will not get too relaxed during sleep.

It can also be important to begin a regular pattern of slumber. Using a sleep plan prevents snoring as well as allows better sleep. This implies, a bed partner could be woke up because of your snoring and you are more unlikely to waken from the noises of your snoring.

Another thing to remember is always to always breathe through your nose. Breathing with the mouth area just boosts the problem of loud snoring since the dropped jaws permit the tongue to be dropped back all the way to the throat. If one registers that he or she is breathing with the mouth, it is advisable to instantly exercise nasal breathing as soon as detected. These preventive steps work to stop creating the condition of snoring.

The author is a multifaceted writer. She creates articles for a variety of topics like marriage and relationship advices, CPAP cheap and Respironics EasyLife nasal mask, family and parenting concerns, fashion and beauty tips and a lot more.

Has Finding Stop Snoring Aids That Work Been Hard to Discover?

Posted by Apnea
Categorized Under: General
Dated: 14 Feb 2011
Comments: 0

There are lots of men and women which have been constantly looking for effective stop snoring aids that really do work right, and prevent much of the aggravation they are going through.

When a person snores, it is often one thing which their husband or wife and all other family members are generally quite conscious of. Not only may problems with snoring produce a irritating situation to the one which has been doing the snoring, but for each other person that may be sacrificing sleep too.

Click Here To Stop Snoring Without Surgery

Having a very low degree of energy, despite if they are just jumping out of bed in the mornings, is one of the biggest problems snoring people deal with. This is often a problem that often causes even little things to be hard to complete Profession responsibilities and routine tasks connected with being a spouse or parental figure can quickly grow to be extremely difficult to achieve when a person feels exhausted. The partner and other members of the family also usually end up feeling tired each day coming from a lack of sleep when a person in the household snores. This is because a person’s sleep could regularly end up being bothered when someone tends to be snoring thoughout the whole night. These are common explanations why quite a few people devote a lot of their own time just in trying to find stop snoring aids that will help.

Presently there is a wide choice of non-prescription products a large number of snoring sufferers pursue to look at, simply just for them to get a small amount of reduction with the problems that their snoring causes. Just a small amount of reduction in the issues of snoring is often almost all that is obtained when over the counter products are tried. There is a solution that can help a great deal in situations such as these, and it is known as My Snoring Solution. It truly is probably the most well-known stop snoring aids that are increasing in popularity all the time. A great deal of this is because of the fact it is very easy to use; it’s convenient, comfy, it’s incredibly effective, and it is even waterproof.

My Snoring Solution is also something that is discovered can help a great deal with many of the problems that sleep apnea sufferers suffer from. It is extensively known as one of the options in stop snoring aids that allow patients with this specific condition to breathe much easier while they are sleeping. Being able to enjoy the benefit of needing much less oxygen during the night, at the same time when snoring is decreased is one of the most liked benefits of this kind of product.

The Most Effective Anti Snoring Gadgets

Posted by Apnea
Categorized Under: General
Dated: 13 Feb 2011
Comments: 0

The noise produced by a snorer could be occasionally humorous and also on occasion amusing. Even though this is true for many, people who actually live or sleep with snorers can feel rather the opposite. A snorer can awaken his / her spouse or roommate in the middle of the night because of the sounds made rendering it an annoyance. This stops the partner or roommate to experience a goodnight sleep and therefore if it happens every night, it may be pretty annoying. That is why, snorers should purchase anti snoring devices to assist their bed companions and other people close to them while asleep to experience a very good slumber.

The favorite anti-snoring products are listed below:

* Anti snore pillow

One reason why people snore is really because they’ve got an improper sleeping position. This will cause the air passage to stretch out and tighten up which makes it more difficult for air to come inside and out. To resolve this, there are anti snoring pillows that relax your airways and keep the best sleeping posture to prevent a person from loud snores at night time.

* Anti snoring herbal spray

One particular natural remedy to stop snoring will be the snoring spray. Developed with 100 % natural ingredients, snoring spray contains important oils that after sprayed about the throat, provide a lubrication that decreases that level of vibration, hence effectively decreasing snoring. Nevertheless, it is ironic that when throat spray can be used frequently, it can lead to more snoring.

Prior to using throat spray, the doctor’s assessment on the patient is necessary to avoid any other side-effect.

* Nasal dilators

Generally made of stainless steel coil or plastic material, nasal dilators help to keep the air passageway open which decrease the throat’s vibration that leads to snoring. Nasal dilators are employed by applying it into the nostrils.

* Anti snore nasal strip

Like nasal dilators, nasal strips are used to open up the breathing passages in the nasal area and keep the proper amount of airflow while asleep. Nasal strips in many cases are made from plastic material. This is one of the most popular anti-snoring devices since it is inexpensive, secure, and successful. In reality, nasal strips are utilized by sports athletes for superior air flow and respiratory system efficiency while playing.

* Sleep position monitoring machine

The sleep position monitoring device is used to prevent a snorer from sleeping on his or her back. Whenever he or she does this, a beeping sound is created from the unit that alerts the body to drop back to resting on sides. The aim of this device is to develop a fresh sleeping routine for the person who snores. Although effective it’s not a viable choice for snorers that have bed partners or roommates since they can be alerted by the beeping sound.

Once the snorer gets accustomed to resting on his or her sides, these devices could be disposed.

* Snore ball

These snore balls are placed inside the snorer’s pajama at the rear part. This helps prevent the snorer from sleeping on his back. As soon as she or he shifts on his back the snore ball then creates discomfort. With this gadget the snorer subsequently is going to be used to sleeping on the sides. The anti-snoring ball can also be made of several athletics balls for instance baseballs, tennis balls and golf balls.

All these anti snoring devices can stop a particular person from loud snoring, nevertheless, loud snoring can be caused by other medical problem that could need medical assistance. To be safe, have your relative or loved one be checked by a physician to understand exactly what treatment will he need.

The author is a multifaceted writer. She creates articles for a number of subjects such as marriage and relationship advices, CPAP and Respironics PR System one, family and parenting concerns, fashion and beauty tips and a lot more.

Helpful Tips to Stop Snoring

Posted by Apnea
Categorized Under: Sleep Apnea Breathing Machine
Dated: 18 Dec 2009
Comments: 0

Are you sick of being labeled a lumberjack in the morning? Is “sawing logs” during the night causing you grief? Well, if you’re like me and have a problem with snoring, read on for some tips to help you out.

To make the most of your efforts to stop snoring, it’s helpful to understand what exactly causes you to snore.  Simply put, snoring is a result of the narrowing of your air passages. When the air passage is constricted, the soft, floppy tissue in your throat vibrates and creates the snoring sound.  The narrowing of the air passage can be accredited to several different reasons, but the two that are most frequently associated with snoring are poor sleep posture and abnormalities of the soft tissues in your throat[1].

Abnormalities, you say?  Well, yes– but don’t worry.  I promise you’re not weird or anything, and you’re certainly not alone. Chances are that if you’re a middle aged man, these irregularities will apply to you. Men naturally have narrower air passages than women, and that explains why it’s mostly men who are condemned to the couch at night. Another reason for such irregularities can be attributed to heredity: if your mom or dad snored, chances are they passed it along to you.  Other factors that can cause your throat to relax more and create that unpleasant snoring sound include smoking, a history of asthma or allergies, alcohol, certain medications, and just being middle aged.

Now that we’ve pinpointed some of the reasons you snore, let’s take a look at what you can do to stop the problem. The first step is to make some small changes to your bedtime routine, and the following are a few tips to help keep the sawmill quiet when you get between the covers:

If your snoring persists in spite of taking these steps, you may need to seek professional medical help.  Observation by a either a dentist or an ear, nose, and throat specialist may reveal specific problems that are beyond your own control, and in these instances, you may be prescribed the use of particular devices such as a CPAP [Continuous Positive Airway Pressure] machine, or a mouthpiece which will keep your air passages open throughout the night. Some extreme cases may even require surgery.

Whether you’re a mild snorer or someone at risk of having a chronic snoring disorder that requires medical attention, one thing is certain: you need to monitor the problem and get some help if your own efforts to control it don’t work.  Snoring, believe it or not, can be both an indicator and a cause of serious health risks that can take a toll on your body.  A lack of air through those passages at night will create pressure on your heart, which is often linked to high-blood pressure.  Just a simple case of snoring is often not the problem, and sleep apnea may instead be the proper diagnosis.  This disorder occurs when the air passage is so constricted during the night that breathing completely stops, and the sufferer will often wake up for a second to gasp for the next breath– thus interrupting their REM cycle.  When REM sleep is interrupted, a fatigued feeling is prevalent throughout the next day.  In the worst cases, the sleeper may not wake up at all, and the problem can be fatal.

My best advice for all you lumberjacks out there: try to get some relief from the tips I’ve listed, but above all, don’t ignore the problem.  It could be more serious than you think.

Insomnia: Dangers & Treatment of Sleep Deprivation

Posted by Apnea
Categorized Under: Cures For Sleep Apnea
Dated: 16 Dec 2009
Comments: 0

Do you suffer from sleep deprivation? You know by now how you feel without a good night sleep: tiredness, irritability and a loss of concentration are high on the side effects list for insomnia. Therefore, it is very important that you find your cause of insomnia and an insomnia cure as soon as possible.

Sleep deprivation and sleep apnea affects our nervous systems by leaving us drowsy and unable to concentrate. Even losing sleep a few nights a week can significantly impair your ability to function and decrease the quality of your life. Not getting enough sleep also leads to poor memory. If sleep deprivation continues, hallucinations and mood swings will develop. In the same vein, sleeping problems are common in both mental and physical disorders including schizophrenia and depression, stroke, cancer, and head injuries.

Insomnia treatment and cure: For getting a proper sleep at night, do the following:

Sleep only when sleepy. This reduces the time you are awake in bed.

If you can not fall asleep within 25 minutes, just get up and do something boring until you feel sleepy. Sit quietly in the dark listen to some nice relaxing music. Do not expose yourself to bright light while you are up.

Do not take naps. This will make you tired at bedtime. If you just cannot make it through the day without a power nap, sleep less than one hour, before 4 pm.

Go to bed and get up the same time every day. When your sleep cycle has a regular rhythm, you will feel much better.

Refrain from exercise at least four hours before bedtime. Regular exercise is recommended to help you sleep well, but the timing of the workout is important. Exercising in the morning or early afternoon will not interfere with your sleep.

Develop sleep rituals. Listen to relaxing cds, read something soothing for twenty minutes, have a cup of warm milk, and do relaxation exercises.

Avoid caffeine, nicotine and alcohol at least four hours before bed. Caffeine and nicotine are stimulants that interfere with your ability to fall asleep. Alcohol may seem to help you sleep in the beginning as it slows brain activity, but you will end up having a restless night.

Have a light snack before you go to bed. If your tummy is too empty, that can interfere with sleep. However, if you eat a big meal before bedtime, that can interfere as well.

Take a hot bath ninety minutes before bedtime. This will relax your body and will help you fall asleep.

Make sure your bedroom and bed are quiet and comfortable.

Getting a good night’s sleep is as important as having a proper healthy diet and exercising to keep a healthy body. A good night sleep makes your skin look fresh and it also helps make your brain more alert. Though in a busy lifestyle we always try to sacrifice sleep for work but it is very important that you set aside enough hours for some good old-fashioned beauty sleep. The average person needs eight hours of sleep, while infants need sixteen hours of sleep, and teenagers need about nine hours.

Scientists believe that sleep maintains and repairs our bodies and minds. Every night we cycle through three stages of sleep ranging from light sleep to deep sleep, and finally, to rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. A complete sleep cycle takes ninety to one hundred minutes on average. While we sleep our brains are using important neuronal connections that might otherwise get worse from lack of activity. During deep sleep, brain activity that control emotions, decision-making processes, and social interaction stops, allowing us to maintain optimal emotional and social functioning when we are awake. Cell repair and cell growth takes place to combat the affects of stress and UV rays in this stage as well. Hence, deep sleep is really beauty sleep.

Sleep also strengthens our immune system and helps our bodies fight infection. This is because our immune system releases a sleep inducing chemical while fighting a flu or an infection. Sleep helps the body conserve energy and other resources that the immune system requires to mount an effective attack. Start your insomnia treatment as soon as possible to prevent sleep deprivation.

Sleep Disorder

Posted by Apnea
Categorized Under: Cures For Sleep Apnea
Dated: 15 Dec 2009
Comments: 0

During normal breathing, air passes through the throat on its way to the lungs. The air travels past the soft palate, uvula, tonsils, and tongue. When a person is awake, the muscles in the back of the throat tighten to hold these structures in place preventing them from collapsing and/or vibrating in the airway. During sleep, the uvula and soft palate frequently vibrate causing the distinctive sounds of snoring.

The LAUP procedure is a laser surgical procedure designed to sequentially trim and shorten these structures, thus preventing or reducing snoring.

Risks and ComplicationsYou have the right to be informed that the surgery may involve risks of unsuccessful results, complications, or injury from both known and unforeseen causes. Because individuals vary in their tissue circulation and healing processes, as well as anesthetic reactions, ultimately there can be no guarantee made as to the results or potential complications. The following complications have been reported in the medical literature. This list is not meant to be inclusive of every possible complication. They are listed here for your information only, not to frighten you, but to make you aware and more knowledgeable concerning this surgical procedure.

1. Failure to resolve the snoring. Most surgeons feel that about 85% of patients who undergo a LAUP will have a significant or complete resolution in their snoring; and an additional percentage of patients will notice reduced levels of snoring such that their sleep partners will report that it’s level is no longer offensive.

2. Failure to cure sleep apnea or other pathological sleep disorders. Pathological sleep disorders, like sleep apnea, are medical problems which may have associated serious complications. At this time, the LAUP procedure has not been proven to cure these disorders.

3. Bleeding. In very rare situations, a need for blood products or a blood transfusion. You have the right, should you choose, to have autologous or designated donor directed blood pre-arranged. You are encouraged to consult with your doctor if you are interested.

4. Nasal regurgitation, a change in voice, or velopharyngeal insufficiency when liquids may flow into the nasal cavity during swallowing (rare).

5. Failure to resolve coexisting sinus, tonsil, or nasal problems.

6. Need for revision, or further and more aggressive surgery.

7. Prolonged pain, impaired healing, and the need for hospitalization

For more information visit: http://www.melatrol.com/?aid=847674

In general, surgery for sleep apnea is only about 50% successful. However, you would need to talk with your surgeon regarding your specific situation. Surgery is usually recommended only after medical therapy has failed. If your main concern is the snoring, then either the laser procedure or the new Somnoplasty carries about an 85% success rate for resolution of the snoring.

For more information visit: http://www.melatrol.com/?aid=847674

Your problems can be evaluated by an Ears, Nose, Throad (ENTor otolaryngologist) doctor–if you are having sleep problems associated with significantly enlarged adenoids and a very relaxed palate then various surgical operations may be necessary to review. The problem is not one of too little oxygen, but rather may be related to anatomical issues (how his air passages are designed). Speak with your doctor about this. Many times it is helpful to make a video tape for either his doctor or the ENT doctor to see–a picture and sound is worth a thousand words.

For more information visit: http://www.melatrol.com/?aid=847674

Chronic snoring cures

Posted by Apnea
Categorized Under: Cures For Sleep Apnea
Dated: 11 Dec 2009
Comments: 0

During normal breathing, air passes through the throat on its way to the  lungs. The air travels past the soft palate, uvula, tonsils, and tongue. When a  person is awake, the muscles in the back of the throat tighten to hold these  structures in place preventing them from collapsing into the airway. During  sleep, these structures can fall into the airway causing snoring and obstructive  sleep apnea.

Sleep apnea is characterized by loud snroing and distrubed or interruped  sleep patterns. Sleep apnea can have serious consequences including cardiac  problems. Frequently patients will awaken in the morning with a headache. If  they become sleep deprived they may feel sleeppy all day, and may fall asleep  while driving in the car.

Sleep apnea is diagnosed by a sleep study. During a sleep study, the  patient’s breathing patterns, heart rhythim and brain waves are monitored.

If it is found that sleep apnea is present, most doctors recommend the use of  CPAP. CPAP is a breathing device worn during sleep to help keep the airway open.  In some situations surgery is recommended. The uvulopalatopharyngoplasty with or  without tonsillectomy are surgical procedurs designed to open the airway. In  rare situations, a tracheostomy is necessary. These are procedures designed to  circumvent this sleep related collapse of these structures.

Large tonsils, or hypertrophic tonsils, can frequently cause severe snoring, breathing holding, difficulty eating, choaking, and sleep apnea. This can occur as an isolated event or in conjunction with recurrent tonsillitis. If the problem becomes severe, tonsillectomy with adenoidectomy is often recommended.For more information visit: http://www.melatrol.com/?aid=640369

Treating your sleep disorders with CPAP

Posted by Apnea
Categorized Under: Sleep Apnea Breathing Machine
Dated: 11 Dec 2009
Comments: 0

An unknown fact about sleep disorders is that most people have suffered from it at least once in their lives. Though there are sleep disorders that are transient, some are actually burden with this condition for years, and even decades. Insomnia affects a considerable percentage of the world’s population. Around Ten to fifteen percent of the population has severe chronic insomnia, while another twenty-five to thirty percent has occasional or transient insomnia. However, insomnia is just one kind of sleep disorder that causes sleep deprivation. There is sleep apnea, which is characterized by the breathing pauses in a person’s sleeping state. Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome (DSPS), on the other hand, is characterized by a person’s inability to wake up or fall asleep at his or her desired times, and often gets insufficient rest that they need.

Sleep deprivation, due to sleep disorders, causes sleepiness, anxiety, restlessness, fatigue, disorientation when the person is awake. Many people have opted to use medications to help them with this condition, and others have relied on natural herbal remedies like lemon balm, kava, chamomile, oats, drinking warm milk; or methods like adjusting their sleeping time, drinking a small amount of alcohol, refurbishing their sleeping environment, strenuous exercise, etc. Though there are some treatments that are left to be desired for their side effects (and yes, even some herbal remedies can have adverse side effects), there is a machine invented by modern science to treat sleep deprivation.

Treating sleep deprivation with CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) can work to relieve someone from their sleeplessness. Through a method of ventilating the respiratory system, this machine is usually used to treat people who suffer from sleep apnea or hypnoapnea. Most of the time, it can also help a person’s snoring problem. Treating sleep deprivation with CPAP does have its limitation. For example, when it comes to sleep apnea, CPAP can only treat obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). OSA is characterized by the constriction of the airways, but CPAP cannot treat central sleep apnea, which is caused by the break of communication between the brain and the body’s breathing pace.

A CPAP machine works by feeding pressurized air to the person through a mask. The machine keeps the airflow at a certain pressure, and this prevents the airways from getting constricted. A CPAP is not usually operated by the patients themselves. A professional generally operate the machine, and people have to go to a sleeping clinic to get this treatment. The pressure is adjusted according to how it eliminates apneas or snoring.

People who have tried this treatment may experience some discomfort in the beginning, especially when subjected to a mask. On the other hand, most were able to adjust to this method and get used to CPAP in a short period. Moreover, when administered by a trained technician, treating sleep deprivation with CPAP does not have any side effects, unlike other sleep disorder mediations or herbal remedies. It can be a bit costly, though. Yet it is also advisable for people to try this method and see if it works well for their sleeping disorders. Having a good night sleep is everyone’s desire after all, and spending some amount to achieve this goal is a small price for the comfort it may bring to you.

For more detailed guides and info about this topic, please visit: http://nikkenhomebasedbusinessweden.info/

Get Off Your Sleep Aids and Cure Your Sleep Disorder Naturally

Posted by Apnea
Categorized Under: Cures For Sleep Apnea
Dated: 10 Dec 2009
Comments: 0

With a large percentage of the public suffering from sleep disorders and
it’s no wonder why many people cannot concentrate, are forgetful and are generally not functioning at an optimal level on a daily basis. Many people suffering from these sleep disorders and rely on sleep aids to place a band-aid on the problem. The problem with that is that there could be many uncomfortable side effects and these substances can become addictive.

Our bodies definitely need sleep and although it may vary from person to person
it is best to average from six to eight hours of sleep every day. Also the release of your natural growth hormone is released during your sleep time which enables your body to stay healthier and more youthful. You will notice in yourself that if you don’t sleep well for more than a few days there is a dazed look in your eyes, your skin will look a little tired and dull and your attention to detail definitely diminishes. Your body needs the proper sleep to keep you young, healthy and sustain life.

So what can you do, maybe naturally to assist your body to calm down, relax your brain and body so that you can enjoy a healthy relaxing peaceful sleep and enable your body to replenish itself with a good sleep night after night.

Food is a very important part contributing to your health and wellbeing. It also plays a major role in enabling the body to release the correct chemicals, naturally into the body to enable good solid sleep. For one, an amino acid called tryptophan, which is found in turkey, is the precursor to melatonin and serotonin, the natural sleep hormones. You see there is some truth that turkey makes you tired as illustrated when Uncle George falls asleep on the couch after Thanksgiving Day dinner.

There are also other foods that can be eaten in the early evening that can assist your body to release the correct chemicals and set up the proper conditions for sleep.

Firstly don’t eat after 7 pm. A large meal after this hour will take time to digest and may cause heartburn or indigestion which will affect your sleep patterns. It’s best to eat small portions or snacks two or more hours before bedtime. Try eating a small piece of cheese, a couple of slices of turkey, a few tablespoons of pure yogurt containing no sugar, or a handful of sunflower seeds, all of which contain or assist your body in producing tryptophan .

Dairy products also assist your the body to induce sleep. The old saying a glass of warm milk will put you to sleep does have significant. Milk and products containing calcium help the brain to manufacture tryptophan. Also the mineral magnesium which is a natural sedative can be found in wheat bran, brewers yeast, seaweed, almonds and cashews. Other things you can do are to always have a complex carbohydrate with a small piece of protein at dinner Also avoid snacks with sugar and stimulants like coffee and soft drink after 2 pm.

So when you are sitting there on the couch trying to relax from your long busy day don’t think about your sleep disorder or think about running to the medicine cabinet for another sleep aid but instead try having a cup a Chamomile tea and a handful of cashews, even try warming the cashews for 20 seconds in the microwave. It relaxing, soothing and will help your body sleep and stay more healthy and youthful.

5 Myths About Snoring and Sleep Apnea

Posted by Apnea
Categorized Under: Cures For Sleep Apnea
Dated: 7 Dec 2009
Comments: 0

Many people snore and many snorers also have obstructive sleep apnea. Here are 5 common myths about these two conditions that many people, and even some doctors continue to perpetuate:

1. Sleep apnea occurs only in older, overweight, snoring men with big necks. Although the stereotypical description does fit people in the extreme end of the spectrum, we now know that even young, thin women that don’t snore can have significant obstructive sleep apnea. Sleep apnea begins with jaw structure narrowing, and later involves obesity. It’s estimated that 90% of women with this condition are not diagnosed. Untreated, it can cause or aggravate weight gain, depression, anxiety, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, heart attack, and stroke.

2. It’s healthy to sleep on your back. For some people, sleeping on your back is ideal, but many people naturally prefer to sleep only on their sides or stomachs. They must sleep in this position for a good reason: Their tongues fall back due to gravity, and in deep sleep with added muscle relaxation, and they can stop breathing with frequent arousal. Dermatologists are telling female patients not to sleep on their stomachs, to prevent facial wrinkles. But this will actually worsen wrinkles, since you won’t sleep well at all.

3. I know I don’t snore, or I know I don’t have apnea. I feel fine. There’s no way of proving that you don’t snore or don’t have apneas (where you stop breathing while sleeping) without undergoing a sleep study. Even bedpartner’s can’t really tell. Most people do stop breathing once in a while. Also, if you don’t snore, you may not be breathing either. There are people who stop breathing 50 to 70 times every hour and feel absolutely normal. But they’re at increased risk for heart disease, heart attack, or stroke.

4. If I lose weight, I’ll cure myself of sleep apnea. Sometimes. It’s definitely worth trying, but in general, it’s very difficult to lose weight if you have sleep apnea. This is because poor sleep aggravates weight gain as well as to increase your appetite. Once you’re sleeping better, it’ll be easier to lose weight. This is the one ingredient with many dietary and weight loss programs that’s missing or not stressed at all. It’s not enough just to tell people to sleep more.

5. Snoring comes from the nose, so if I unclog my nose, my snoring will stop. Having a stuffy nose can definitely aggravate snoring and sleep apnea, but in general, it’s not the cause. A recent study showed that undergoing nasal surgery for breathing problems cured sleep apnea in only 10% of patients. Snoring vibrations typically come from the soft palate, which is aggravated by having a small jaw and the tongue falling back. It’s a complicated relationship between the nose, the soft palate and the tongue.

The bottom line is, if you snore, you have a high chance of having undiagnosed obstructive sleep apnea. Even if one of the over the counter snore aids help somewhat, the snoring usually comes back. If you have any of the complications of untreated obstructive sleep apnea (such as depression, anxiety, diabetes, heart disease, obesity or frequent urination), there’s even more reason to get checked.