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Dr Richard Fischer, DDS, is an internationally respected authority on oral medicine.  He is a past President of the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology;  he has addressed the United States Congress as an expert witness, and has published numerous scientific papers on matters relating to oral medicine, temporo mandibular dysfunction (TMD) and cranial osteopathy.    He is listed in the 'Who's Who of Medicine and Health Care'.

This is what Dr Fischer has to say about snoring:

"Snoring is always indicative of the development or existence of a sleep breathing disorder.  During normal breathing our bodies produce a substance called nitric oxide, not to be confused with nitrous oxide or 'laughing gas'.

Nitric oxide behaves like an antioxidant because it protects the inner linings of our blood vessels from damage or placques -- i.e., the beginning of cardiovascular disease.  Recent research has shown that within seconds upon the start of snoring, the production of nitric oxide stops, leaving our cardiovascular system vulnerable to breakdown.  Snoring can also activate the sympathetic nervous system (or "fight or flight" mechanism) which in turn can lead to hypertension (high blood pressure).

Snoring may also be a major indicator of a more significant medical condition called “Obstructive Sleep Apnoea” (OSA).  OSA is, as defined by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, “a breathing disorder characterised by brief interruptions during sleep … repeated periods of no breathing for at least 10 seconds at a time.”

These periods are called apnoeic events and can last over minute.  It is not surprising then that people with OSA sometimes awaken gasping for breath.  Untreated, sleep apnea sufferers have up to a 500% increased risk of dying during their sleep from a heart attack or stroke.  They statistically average a reduced life expectancy of 8 years.

Sleep Disordered Breathing has been linked to:

Cardiovascular disease

Hypertension

Ischemic stroke

Depression

Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Memory Loss

Increased mortality”

Snoring might be common, but that doesn’t mean it’s normal.  And it certainly doesn’t mean it should be ignored.  Snoring really IS serious.

If you snore, or know someone who does, please call 1300 246 637 for more information ... or visit How Our Clinics Help.