SnoreOMeter was created by theSleep Apnea TreatmentCenters of America, which encourages users to share the recording with a sleep expert. While there aremany reasons why a person might snore, Scott Anderson, MD, a sleep doctor at theSleep ApneaTreatment Center in Tampa, claims he can diagnose a snoring problem just by listening to a recording.
Snoring is annoying. Sleep apnea, characterized by chronic loud and intrusive snoring, can be serious. Sleep apnea sufferers experience interrupted breathing throughout the night, either because of an obstruction in the nose, mouth or throat’s airway, or less commonly, due to a disruption in signals to the brain. If breathing does stop, low oxygen levels jolt the person out of deep sleep just enough to restart normal breathing, but not so much that (s)he remembers waking. The condition, which is often overlooked but is easily managed once recognized, leaves sufferers chronically tired, and brings asmall risk of dying from the interrupted breathing.
当然,这可能会觉得有点幼稚的文章to social media to convince a spouse to follow up on a potential health problem. But if it helps address a serious health problem — andresults in getting better rest— perhaps in this case, the ends justify the means.
"I think it brought awareness and opened up the conversation," Walker said. She may still have to be the one who bites the bullet and makes the doctor's appointment, but at least now he'll go. Hopefully a good night's sleep is in both the Walker's future.
