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Snoring is considered a ‘benign difficulty’ by most people who snore. A bit of a joke really. But it is no joke to people who have to listen to it. No joke at all. Snoring can also be a sign that there is a deeper problem. It is similar to obstructive sleep apnoea, but is not necessarily the same.

It is equivalent to obstructive sleep apnoea too in that the sufferer is seldom aware of the difficulty - that is left to a sleeping partner or everyone else in the house.

Deprivation of sleep might sound like bad luck or something that can be caught up on the next day, but in actual fact it goes far deeper than that. Those who have not had a decent night’s sleep find it hard to concentrate and might even nod off. This is naturally not a sensible idea if you are a driver.

Sleep apnoea causes a lack of quality sleep on a regular basis and so it is no surprise that sufferers of obstructive sleep apnoea run three times more risk of a driving accident or a serious accident at work than others. That is horrific enough, but the sleeping partner of a sufferer of obstructive sleep apnoea runs the same increased risk.

Apnoea also puts more strain on the heart and is a major issue in high blood pressure. It also starves the brain of oxygen with whatever effects that might have.

There are a number of methods of treating snoring (apnoea is normally treated with an oxygen mask known as CPAP).

There are nose strips which stop the walls of the nose collapsing and reverberating, if that is your problem. There are extraordinary pillows that raise the head decreasing the weight of a heavy neck on the windpipe. There are dental appliances to stop the tongue and other parts slipping back into the airway causing an obstruction. There is acupuncture and there is hypnotism.

However, it is worth saying, that most of the loudest snorers are overweight. For these individuals, the first approach has to be to lose weight, because that will also benefit them in many other methods as well.

Individuals find that switching their sleeping position assists with their snoring. The worst position for snoring is lying on your back. Lying on your side is a good manner of reducing snoring as can lying on your front.

The thing to keep in mind is the weight of your skin and flesh weighing down on your windpipe, especially on your throat. There is also the problem of your tongue and palate falling into the back of your throat and either vibrating or blocking the passage - lying on your side or front prevents this happening.

Owen Jones, the author of this piece, writes on several topics, but is now involved with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. If you want to know more, please go to our web site at Sleep Apnea Surgery Techniques

We all know that having a cold can give you sleepless nights, but there are other more significant illnesses that can result in restlessness as well. However, it is not just the illnesses themselves but the medications too can cause restless nights. Some of the most common diseases that can result in an interruption of sleep are: arthritis, kidney disease, mental illness, acid reflux, diabetes, thyroid problems and neurological disorders.

Some kinds of heart disease can also affect sleep patterns. For instance congestive heart failure and coronary artery disease. These problems will naturally put the patient under pretty strict medical care.

Sufferers of the two heart diseases mentioned above run a high risk of developing obstructive sleep apnoea. Obstructive sleep apnoea is a less serious disease than any heart disease, but it can have significant consequences too, including elevated blood pressure, which makes it difficult if it is not treated.

The difficulty with obstructive sleep apnoea is that sufferers are normally the last to know about it, because it does not really cause the sufferer any discomfort although it can still have disastrous consequences.

The only real remedy for obstructive sleep apnoea is either the loss of weight which is not easy for heart patients or the wearing of an oxygen mask at night, which is called CPAP.

Diabetes can result in Restless Leg Syndrome, which involves the involuntary thrashing around of the legs during sleep. This leads to a very restless night for both the sufferer and the partner as the kicks can get fairly violent - absolutely enough to kick a football. Thyroid problems can lead to nocturnal sweating which can make the sufferer feel hot, damp and unpleasant

Neurological disorders like Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s epilepsy and strokes can make the sufferer have concerns with REM sleep and insomnia. People who have had a stroke might also suffer from obstructive sleep apnoea.

Sufferers of asthma and other respiratory diseases will have concerns sleeping. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease will cause insomnia and sleep fragmentation.

Mental health concerns such as depression, SAD’s and anxiety also lead to sleep disorders - usually also those of sleep fragmentation and insomnia.

GERD and acid reflux cause a burning sensation in the abdomen whilst the sufferer lies down, making it very difficult to sleep during an attack. There are tablets for this that are occasionally effective and raising the head a couple of inches can help as well.

Kidney disease can also cause restless leg syndrome and people with arthritis have difficulty getting to sleep because of the pain.

The point about all these causes of a restless night is that it is the underlying cause that is more serious than the consequence - that is, the sleeplessness. These are serious conditions, some of which can be cured. Once the main illness is solved the secondary one will disappear as well.

Owen Jones, the author of this piece, writes on several subjects, but is now concerned with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. If you want to know more, please go to our web site at Sleep Apnea Surgery Techniques