Give Your Valentine What They Really Want - A Good Night's Rest!

Main Category: Ear, Nose and Throat
Also Included In: Sleep / Sleep Disorders / Insomnia
Article Date: 13 Feb 2008 - 5:00 PDT

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With Valentine's Day right around the corner, the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) would like to remind you that snoring is the number one reason why couples sleep apart-and your Valentine might be best served by some preventive measures to ensure a good night's rest.

The noisy sounds of snoring occur when there is an obstruction to the free flow of air through the passages at the back of the mouth and nose. Forty-five percent of adults snore at least occasionally, and 25 percent are habitual snorers. Problem snoring is more frequent in males and overweight persons, and it usually grows worse with age.

According to recent reports, up to 80 percent of snoring couples sleep apart. Studies show that snoring can have a profound impact on relationships- removing intimacy, disrupting sex lives, and in some cases, leading to divorce among married couples.

There are some simple steps you can take to prevent snoring from wreaking havoc in your relationship. Adults who suffer from mild or occasional snoring should consider trying the following:

- Adopt a healthy and athletic lifestyle to develop good muscle tone and lose weight;
- Avoid alcohol for at least four hours and heavy meals or snacks for three hours before retiring;
- Establish regular sleeping patterns;
- Sleep on your side rather than your back; and
- Tilt the head of your bed upwards four inches.

These easy tips are a great way to show your Valentine you really care. However, snoring can indicate a more serious medical problem, such as obstructive sleep apnea. If you have concerns, see an otolaryngologist, a physician specially trained to treat conditions of the ears, nose, and throat. An ENT doctor will be able to diagnose and treat snoring and other related sleep disorders.

For more information on snoring, visit the Academy's web site at http://www.entnet.org and click on patient health information.

About the AAO-HNSF

The American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Foundation, one of the oldest medical associations in the nation, represents more than 12,000 physicians and allied health professionals who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the ears, nose, throat, and related structures of the head and neck. The Academy serves its members by facilitating the advancement of the science and art of medicine related to otolaryngology and by representing the specialty in governmental and socioeconomic issues. The organization's mission is: "Working for the Best Ear, Nose, and Throat Care."

American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Foundation

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