If you snore, it may be time to think about more than the social consequences of your nocturnal noises. Snoring may increase your risk for diabetes.

"The general thought was that people who snore tended to be overweight and that their weight and family history may also increase their risk for diabetes, sleep apnea, heart disease and high blood pressure," says Robert Crosby, M.D., a pulmonary medicine specialist at Chalmette Medical Center. "Newer studies, however, show that snoring itself may play a role in diabetes."

What those z's really mean
The muscles in your body -- and your upper airway -- relax during sleep. This relaxation of muscles can narrow your airways, disrupt airflow through the mouth and nose, and cause the structures in the back of the throat to strike against each other and vibrate. The vibration produces the snoring sound many of us know so well.

For generations, people considered snoring little more than an annoyance. Then, researchers discovered that snoring might be a sign of a potentially serious sleep disorder called obstructive sleep apnea. People who have this condition actually stop breathing for short periods of time because their airways become temporarily obstructed as they sleep.

Now, some researchers say there may be a link between snoring, sleep apnea and diabetes. One group of investigators found that women who snored frequently were twice as likely to develop diabetes. Others report that adults who had sleep apnea were three times as likely to have diabetes.

"Snoring and sleep apnea decrease the level of oxygen in the blood," Dr. Crosby says. "The body seems to compensate by increasing production of certain chemicals, called catecholamines, that speed up the heart rate and open the airways. Catecholamines, however, can affect insulin metabolism and lead to prediabetes -- a precursor to diabetes."

Dr. Crosby says future research will help clarify the connection between snoring and diabetes.

Robert Crosby, M.D.

What you should do
Sleep specialists say you shouldn't simply dismiss your snoring. It could be robbing you of something essential to your health -- a good night's sleep -- and may be increasing your risk for other medical conditions.

You may be able to improve your snoring by losing excess weight, exercising and trying over-the-counter snoring remedies. If your snoring persists or is severe, speak with your doctor. He or she may refer you to a sleep specialist who can conduct an overnight sleep study and evaluate your sleep.

For an appointment with Dr. Crosby, call 279-1263.

For more information about common sleep problems, visit www.chalmettemedical.com and click on Health Information in the left column. At the top of the next page, keyword search for Sleep Apnea or Snoring and click on GO.

See CMC's Sleep Disorders Program for a Silent Night
Sleep disorders can have a devastating effect on your social life, your professional life and your health. Fortunately, the specialists at Chalmette Medical Center's sleep disorders program -- the only one of its kind in Chalmette -- can help.

Sleep specialists conduct overnight sleep studies, evaluate those studies to diagnose your condition and can recommend treatment that can help improve your sleep and your life.

The program now has one room for overnight sleep studies. Soon, it will expand to a new area that will feature two comfortable and homelike rooms. For more information about Chalmette Medical Center's sleep disorders program, call 620-6075.

9001 Patricia Street, P.O. Box 1727, Chalmette, LA 70044 (504) 620-6000