Snoring may seem like a superficial annoyance. But oftentimes it's linked to the potentially serious disorder called sleep apnea. Sleep apnea causes the sufferer to stop breathing momentarily, sometimes several times a night. Over time, sleep apnea can increase one's risk for high blood pressure, stroke, and heart attack.
Overcoming sleep apnea doesn't happen overnight. "Most doctors just put patients on a CPAP [continuous positive airway pressure device]," says Rosalind Cartwright, PhD, founder of the Sleep Disorders Center at Rush University Medical Center. "But follow-up is so important."
Just getting apnea sufferers to wear the CPAP contraption can be a feat in itself. The unsightly device worn at night includes mask, tubes, and fan. Though it may resemble an elaborate Halloween mask, it starts the process of getting a sounder slumber. The fans apply air pressure, pushing the wearer's tongue forward and opening the throat to allow adequate air passage. That, in turn, reduces snoring and apnea disturbances. "It's ugly and unromantic," Cartwright tells WebMD. "So compliance drops down to 50% after one year."
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