Brian, On Sat, 20 Apr 1996 16:49:18 -0400 you wrote: >>If anyone knows someone who has long "pauses" and then "snorts" while sleeping - please encourage them to be evaluated by a physician trained in sleep apnea - it is a deadly medical condition. My brother has been in a coma in a hospital for over a year - obstructive sleep apnea was ONE of the contributing causes<< Your contributions on Lactnet have been very helpful. And now you've got me thinking and concerned....I suppose that's good! I'm so sorry to hear about your brother. I have had the experience of having my mother-in-law in coma for 9 weeks, and I know what the impact on the entire family can be. My heart goes out to you and your family. You mentioned other contributing causes beside sleep apnea in his situation. Is there a significant potential for obstructive sleep apnea alone, with no other contributing causes, to induce coma? About how many seconds, in your experience on the hospital sleep teams, constitutes a long "pause"? Or is duration of pause not important? Would a snorer who occasionally "pauses and snorts" be at significant risk for coma? Wondering if I'm the only Lactnetter who may be staying awake tonight listening for snorts and pauses from my snoring spouse..... Again, Brian, thanks so much. You are certainly helping to enlighten us all. Joyce Blangiardo RN, FACCE, IBCLC [log in to unmask]