I did a sleep study last night. I failed. Then again, I knew I would. I have snored for years. Decades. When I spoke to the doctor a couple of weeks ago he had a list of questions. I said yes to almost all of them.
Questions like:
Do I want to take a nap after lunch? (Really who doesn't?)
Do I fall asleep watching tv? (I said it depends on the show.)
Do I get sleepy while driving on long trips? (Every time. Scared the heck out of my wife. I was trying to be the man and take on the burden of driving. She has never been impressed about it.)
Do I fall asleep when I am a passenger on a trip over an hour? (I really try not to but I nod off a few times. My wife complained that she and her sister went to Tennessee for their grandmother's funeral. Her sister slept the whole trip and my wife had to do the driving. I try not to do the same thing.)
Do I want to sleep during a meeting or at the movies? (I said that is two different things. Meetings, of course. A good engaging movie, no. She didn't ask but I have been known to sleep during baseball games too.)
20 years ago I had a sleep over for my son's scouting camping trip. Two years in a row I got second lace for the loudest snorer. I was actually louder but not as regular. My son loved it but even then I knew it was not a good thing. Over Christmas I was at my son's place. When I got up in the middle of the night I heard my daughter in law's cousin snoring in the next bed room. It was so loud I was sure the wall was falling when I first heard him. I decided if I am anything like that, I have a real problem.
This morning I had to complete a survey. How many times did I think I woke up? How long did I think I slept? Did I get a better night's sleep? Things like that. At the bottom there was a place to add any comments. I wrote that it would be nice if they recommended that men shave their chest hair. It was the worst part of the whole experience. I felt like I was Robin Williams. It hurt so much that I removed the 4 from my chest but forgot to get the two off my side. SOUVENIRS!
The reason for this post is to tell you, if anyone has expressed concern over your snoring, get it checked out. Speak to your primary physician. In a simplified explanation, you are swallowing your tongue and the body is trying to wake you up. Over time you get used to the nudges the body sends you and it is harder and harder to wake up and open your air way.
I am sure Nonstopdrivel has a better explanation and I yield to him.