Do you reach for your partner in the middle of the night, only to find your mate has relocated to another zip code? If the answer is yes, chances are it's thanks to "the snore." Many people experience soft and rhythmic snoring from time to time; however, very loud snoring with intermittent pauses in breathing may signal a serious medical condition called obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which is estimated to affect 9 percent of men between the ages of 30 and 60.

OSA is more common in men who are overweight (e.g., weighing more than 30 percent of their ideal weight), as well as in people with body fat in the neck area, which in turn puts extra pressure on the breathing passages. The condition may then lead to a myriad of health problems, all of which can lower your quality of life, including your sex life.

The Dangerous Snore

Repeated awakenings associated with obstructive sleep apnea can cause symptoms such as:

• daytime drowsiness
• fatigue and irritability
• a headache upon waking
• difficulty concentrating
• loss of interest in sex
• frequently falling asleep at inappropriate times.

In fact, some scientific studies have shown that people who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea are three to five times more likely than the general population to have car accidents. Another scary fact: some people who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea are more susceptible to dangerous and irregular heart rhythms, which can be deadly.

Your Wake-Up Call

Sleep apnea usually doesn't go away on its own, but can be treated. For those suffering from mild sleep apnea, here are several suggestions:

• Safely reduce your weight.
• Exercise regularly after clearance from your physician (try not to work out within three hours of bedtime).
• Sleep on your side or stomach.
• Avoid alcohol, tranquilizers and sleeping pills.
• Use medications recommended by your physician to help you breathe through your nose during sleep.

If you suffer from moderate or severe sleep apnea, you might benefit from special breathing devices that are prescribed to help you achieve a healthier and safer sleep.

If you think you might be suffering from OSA, consult your health care professional. Proper treatment can help put you back on the path to a good night's sleep.

Robert Danoff, D.O., M.S., is a family physician. He is program director of Family Practice Residency Frankford Hospitals, Jefferson Health System, Philadelphia, Pa. He is also a medical correspondent for The Comcast Network, CN8, contributing writer for the New York Times Special Features and writes a weekly medical column for the Bucks Courier Times, Bucks County Pa. More articles by Dr. Rob.