While many, many people snore, not as many realize that this can be a sign of a significant health problem. Some people who snore are unknowingly depriving themselves of oxygen during the night. Snoring is caused by partial obstruction of the airway during sleep. The muscles in the throat and at the back of the mouth relax too much and collapse toward the throat. The air passage is restricted. The vibration of these collapsed tissues as one breathes is what causes snoring.
While it’s good to treat and eliminate snoring, treating sleep apnea is even more important. When a person suffers from sleep apnea, their breathing stops, perhaps dozens or even a hundred times a night. The person starts breathing again with a gasp or snort. Levels of oxygen in their blood drop and the entire body is stressed. Sleep is therefore not a time of healing and cleansing as it should be. Serious illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes, chronic fatigue or fibromyalgia can result.