The Serious Side Effects of Snoring

If you've ever been robbed of sleep by a bedfellow who passes the nights blissfully sawing logs, here's some news: Snoring bothers snorers, too.

Sleep-related breathing disorders (SRBDs) include loud snoring and sleep apnea -- that's when sleepers stop breathing multiple times an hour, and their brain has to rouse them from deep sleep (often snorting and gasping) to get them breathing again. SRBDs can cause real trouble: They increase the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and daytime sleepiness.

Now you can add another bad boy to the list of conditions caused -- or made worse -- by nighttime breathing problems: depression. People with SRBDs are 80% more likely to develop depression than people who breathe (and sleep) soundly through the night.

And we're not just talking morning grumpiness. We mean down-in-the-dumps, pass-the-Prozac depression. There are two simple ways to at least reduce some of these effects. First, get physically active -- just walking for 30 minutes every day will help (as it helps so many other things). Second, try taking an omega-3-rich DHA supplement; 600 milligrams a day can help normalize moods.

Easing the SBRD itself will help even more, improving both your health and your concentration, as well as countering the depression. Gaining weight is strongly linked to snoring and sleep apnea so -- no surprise -- losing just 10% of any extra pounds you've put on is the best sleep aid. It will reduce your sleep symptoms by more than 30% and improve relations with your bedmate no end.