Are you constantly being woken up in the middle of the night to be told you’re snoring? Do you have to sleep on the couch so that the rest of your family can sleep during the night? If snoring is a problem for you or a loved one, you shouldn’t ignore it. Not only does snoring affect those you love within earshot, and their sleep cycles, but it could also be a sign of something much more severe than just a lack of sleep. Snoring could be a sign of serious health issue, such as sleep apnea. The American Sleep Apnea Association estimates that nearly 90 million Americans snore while they sleep. Snoring does not always indicate an underlying health issue, but studies have shown that as many as half of these individuals may suffer from Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). Unfortunately, by ignoring your snoring, you are not seeking the proper treatment for a serious disease. By going untreated, sleep apnea can lead to a variety of further health issues, including heart failure, heart attack, stroke, obesity, high blood pressure, and diabetes. It’s important that you know the difference between only snoring and sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is defined as one or more pauses in breathing during sleep, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and can lead to individuals gasping for air while they sleep. If this sounds like you or a loved on, don’t ignore the snore and schedule an appointment with Dr. Bezbatchenko today to discuss testing and treatment options. The good news is that there are treatments available, and a good night’s sleep in your future.