Do you snore? You are not alone.

Snoring is a problem “heard” round the world. It is believed to affect nearly half the populations in coutries everywhere.

Most snorers are men. But women and even small children can snore. Though it is often shrugged off as just an aggravation, more to the people who don’t snore and are within hearing range, it can be the sign of a much more serious condition called sleep apnea.

Failing to seek out therapy for sleep apnea can pose a risk to your overall health. High blood pressure, cardiovascular disease and other problems can arise. Untreated sleep apnea can also cause growth retardation of a fetus if the mother has sleep apnea. That also applies to small children.

Snoring occurs when there is some degree of obstruction along your upper airway. It can be very mild, or very, very loud. Sometimes sleeping on your side, instead of your back, will alleviate snoring. Sleeping medications may cause the muscles in the throat to relax too much and will cause the snoring to get worse.

Weight loss can sometimes help snoring.

There are oral appliances available to help with snoring. These are available through a dentist or orthodontist. These devices push the tongue and lower jaw forward to help create a more viable air passage.

The most effective solution for snoring is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). To use CPAP, you wear a mask when you sleep which delivers air pressure to you through a hose connecting the machine and the mask.

The least attractive solution for snoring is surgery. It can be very expensive and can be, like any other surgery, risky. It could cause side effects that may last your entire lifetime. Surgery would be recommended if you have large tonsils or adenoids. It may also include removing some of your soft palate as well as your uvula.

To decide on a solution for your snoring, start with the easy things you can try at home first. If the snoring persists, see a sleep physician to have a sleep test. It is important to know if your snoring is a sign of sleep apnea.