Health Watch is a Public Service of the Office of News and Publications and is intended to provide general information only and should not replace the advice of a medical professional. You should contact your physician if you have questions about any of these topics.

This week on Health Watch, we're talking about health issues that affect men. Loud snoring may seem like it's more of a problem for a man's wife, but it could be a sign of a serious health issue.

Snoring occurs when the airway is partially obstructed. It can be caused by obesity, congestion or sleeping position. Dr. John Truelson, an ear, nose and throat specialist at UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, says the "cure" for mild snoring may be simply a change in body or head position. Persistent snoring may be a symptom of sleep apnea, in which you stop breathing periodically throughout the night. This is a potentially dangerous condition that increases your risk for heart attack, high blood pressure or stroke. Sleep apnea may be treated with surgery or with devices that keep air flowing into the lungs while you sleep. 

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^June 2006

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