10:01 AM PST on Tuesday, December 2, 2003

By JEAN ENERSEN / KING 5 News

SEATTLE - Snoring is more than just a nighttime nuisance. It can lead to serious health problems. But before you invest in sprays and other devices, seek advice from a team.

Snoring is the nocturnal sound heard round the world.

"With a chronic condition like sleep apnea, patients don't recognize their own symptoms," said Dr. Edward Weaver of Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.

People try everything from nose strips and sprays to dental devices. Even surgery doesn't always provide relief.

"No one treatment works for everybody," said Dr. Weaver.

That's because there's no one, single cause.

"It's complex problem. It involves anatomic abnormalities, respiratory abnormalities, neurological abnormalities and effects on peoples brain function and thinking," said Dr. Weaver.

Dr. Weaver says that's why a team approach is needed.

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University of Washington Sleep Disorders Center at Harborview

Lou Kaiser is a locksmith by day, snorer by night.

"I used to wake up 10-15 times a night," he said. "I basically had no life."

Lou fell asleep on the job and everywhere else. Even a nighttime breathing device didn't help. The diagnosis: a deviated septum made worse by a broken nose in high school. What Lou needed was surgery.

Lou noticed a big difference.

"You can't even describe it. It's like a living death and coming back to life again," said Lou.

Because sleep apnea can have so many causes and consequences, Dr. Weaver urges patients to see a team of specialists, rather than trying to treat it on their own.

Harborview Medical Center is now enrolling patients for a study on sleep apnea and nasal obstructions. For more information, call 206-251-2451.