Health Tip of the Week, sponsored by Baton Rouge General: Snoring or sleep apnea… there’s a difference

Did you know that at least 25% of people snore nightly? While some are “simple snorers,” many suffer from a serious sleep disorder called obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which causes you to repeatedly stop and start breathing while you sleep, and often disrupts the balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the body. Unchecked OSA is associated with dangerous daytime drowsiness and serious health conditions including cardiovascular issues, high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke and depression. Talk to your doctor if you experience symptoms like snoring that occurs three or more times per week, awakening with dry mouth or sore throat, nighttime teeth grinding or decreased libido, among others. Learn more about the differences between snoring and sleep apnea.