Medical science has come a long way. Epileptics are no longer possessed by the devil, the insane are not incarcerated for life in neglected prisons, and epidemics are not popularly believed to be a punishment sent from God. Despite this, ailments which have tormented mankind for centuries continue to do so. The influenza virus so clearly isolated and characterized is still capable of inflicting its misery, leaving us virtually powerless to curb its debilitating effects. Comfort can at least be found in the compassion of fellow sufferers.

The community has come to accept our vulnerability to the influenza virus which invariably leads to sympathy from family, friends and employers. The chronic snorer has few sympathizers. He is mostly regarded as a threat to the nocturnal harmony of the home, but more widely regarded as an object of hilarity. Cartoons and situation comedies have long used the spectacle of the noisy snorer, apparently sleeping soundly, quite oblivious to the disruption caused to those in his immediate vicinity.

Below the thin comic veneer of the stereotypic snorer lies a range of sociological and physiological problems. Snoring is the source of acute social embarrassment and marital disharmony. The heavy snorer may also experience personality changes, daytime drowsiness, loss of memory and cardiac complications.

At what point does snoring become a problem and when is intervention indicated? Snorers are often referred to a local doctor by spouses who are frustrated by the interruption to their own sleep. The doctor has to make an assessment based upon the story of both partners. If, for example, the husband is the snorer, his wife is probably the better judge of its severity and of accompanying symptoms such as frequent choking sounds or excessively long periods of time between respiratory efforts. These symptoms in conjunction with a physical examination will help the physician decide on appropriate intervention and whether further tests are indicated. A small proportion of snorers have complications, which may be life threatening, but the majority do not require medical intervention. They nevertheless require in many instances professional counseling, reassurance and a guide to some of the simple techniques available to minimize snoring.

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