Snorers Urged: 'Take Killer Snoring' Test

CHESTERFIELD, England, October 9/PRNewswire/ -- A comprehensive online snoring consultation service has been launched to help Britain's millions of snorers check if their condition is actually a symptom of the more serious obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), which can put lives at risk, it was announced at a dentists' seminar in London over the weekend (Saturday, October 8).

Matthew Hinckley, Chairman of www.solutions4snoring.com said that snoring can be a dangerous condition for people suffering from OSA who can stop breathing up to 50-60 times an hour and then wake up feeling as if they have had no sleep at all.

"Many snorers suffer from excessive daytime sleepiness, which is bad enough in itself. They are unable to concentrate, they fall asleep at times when they don't want to be asleep, and it makes them at least twice as likely to have a motor accident if they are driving [1]. It is for this reason that the DVLA require OSA sufferers to stop driving until they are treated".

"However, this is not the worst news. Research has demonstrated that the repeated falls in oxygen levels in the blood caused by OSA are linked to the development of high blood pressure, heart disease, strokes and diabetes [2]".

"The reality is that untreated OSA is a killer and needs to be taken seriously and there are many snorers who simply don't even know how serious their condition might be. For this reason we have made available at www.solutions4snoring.com an online snoring assessment that will analyse  their condition within 12 hours".

The test, which costs GBP9.50 plays an important role in deciding the most appropriate treatment option but is only available to people who are over 18 years old.

Snorers are required to complete a patient pre-screening questionnaire online at www.solutions4snoring.com. The questionnaire covers their general  health, main complaints about their snoring habits and the symptoms they  are experiencing. Their answers are then assessed using internationally recognised diagnostic protocols and the snorer is sent preliminary findings within 12 hours.

Snorers are encouraged to have their sleeping partner with them whilethey answer the questions because the partner is better placed to confirm theseverity of their snoring and snoring habits. There are also optional questions for partners to complete.

"The assessment will give snorers a better understanding about their snoring and what steps they should take to seek treatment for it" said Mr Hinckley.



References:

[1] Barbe F, Pericas J. Automobile Accidents in Patients with Sleep Apnoea Syndrome. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 1998; 158:18-22.

[2] Parish JM, Somers VK. Obstructive sleep apnea and cardiovascular disease. Mayo Clin Proc 2004; 79(8):1036-1046 Ip MS, Lam B, Ng MM, Lam WK, Tsang KW, Lam KS, Obstructive sleep apnea is independently associated with insulin resistance; Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2002; 165(5):670-676. Meslier N, Gagnadoux F, Giraud P, Person C, Ouksel H, Urban T et al. Impaired glucose-insulin metabolism in males with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome. Eur Respir J 2003; 22(1):156-160.

(10/10/05)