The next time you hear someone snoring beside you in a train, on a park bench or even in the next bed, suppress the urge to shake him till his teeth fall out. Take him to a doctor, instead.
Medical science now has it that snoring is a symptom of a serious ailment, which, if not treated in time, can lead to impotency, loss of memory, and even, sudden death. The medical term for the disease is “sleep apnea syndrome.” People afflicted with it snore, and, in between snores, sometimes cease to breathe for several seconds, may be even a minute. If the cessation period happens to be of more than 10second duration and if the total period crosses 30 during an eighth our sleep, then the snorer (if he can be called that) is in serious need of a physician’s help.
People suffering from diabetes, hypertension, anatomical defects, and alcoholics, among others, tend to succumb to the sleep apnea syndrome. The disease causes irrational behavior, personality changes, and may even result in dementia.
A major portion of the world’s population suffers from this syndrome. But while the developed countries have taken great strides in the study and treatment of the disease, doctors in India are still fighting shy of even acknowledging its existence.
Guess their patients will have to snore even louder to bring the problem to their attention.
‘Thought for the day Said Mark twain: “There are several good protections against temptation, but the surest is cowardice.”
Article extracted from this publication >> February 26, 1993
