Sleep apnea, a form of snoring that hinders breathing, affects at least twenty million households nationwide. Although loud snorers can disturb the sleep of their families and housemates, new research indicates that the snorer may suffer the most. Sleep apnea occurs when muscles in the roof of the mouth, tongue and throat relax and begin to vibrate. This narrows the throat and partially blocks the windpipe that allows oxygen to flow to the lungs.
