You might not think that snoring is potentially serious, but here is a good reason why you should see your doctor if your snoring is loud, or if your snoring is punctuated by periods of silence. You might have a condition called obstructive sleep apnea.

About 50 percent of people with sleep apnea – which causes sudden drops in blood oxygen levels – develop high blood pressure, raising their risk of heart failure and stroke. The more severe your sleep apnea, the greater your risk of high blood pressure. You might also be at risk of developing an abnormal heart rhythm, of becoming fatigued and irritable, of having surgical complications (because of breathing issues), depression and even memory lapses.

One of the most common sleep apnea remedies is a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) system. Used at night while sleeping, it prevents apnea and snoring by ensuring that the pressure of the air you breathe is greater than the surrounding air, which keeps your airway passages open.

Other at-home remedies that you might try while waiting for your doctor’s appointment include:
• Use a saline nasal spray. This may help keep your nasal passages open but it is only recommended for short-term use.
• Limit alcohol consumption. Alcohol relaxes the muscles in the back of your throat, which can make it difficult to breathe. The same may be true for sleeping pills.
• Try not to sleep on your back. This position blocks your airway by causing your tongue and soft palate to rest against your throat.
• Lose weight. More than half of people diagnosed with sleep apnea are overweight. Even losing a few pounds can diminish the fat deposits around your upper airway which may be causing the problem.

It’s important to note that not everyone with sleep apnea snores. So if you experience other signs that you might not be getting a good night’s rest, such as waking up with a dry mouth or sore throat, or suffering from frequent morning headaches, see your doctor for a sleep test.