[Harp-L] Subject: Playing Didgeridoo's helpful for snoring/sleep apnea

[EGS1217@xxxxxxx]

Hey Chris (Michalek), wasn't it you who posted about playing a  didgeridoo in 
your band?  Here's a possibly healthy reason to learn to play  one I just 
found (from the British Medical Journal  online).  
 
Elizabeth 
 
"Want To Stop Snoring? Try the Didgeridoo  
Reuters
 
LONDON (Dec. 22) - Kept awake at night by a snoring  partner? The answer to 
your woes could lie -- believe it or not -- with the  Australian didgeridoo.

Researchers in Switzerland examined 25 patients who  suffered from snoring 
and moderate obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, both common  sleep disorders.

Half the group were given daily lessons in playing the  didgeridoo, a wind 
instrument about 1.5 meters (yards) long which originated in  northern Australia 
and is traditionally made from the trunk of a tree hollowed  out by termites.

The study, published in the British Medical Journal's  online edition on 
Friday, found that those who played the unusual instrument  over a four-month 
trial period saw a significant improvement in their daytime  sleepiness and apnea.

Their partners also reported less disturbance from  snoring.

The researchers said training the upper airways through  the breathing 
techniques required to play the didgeridoo was behind the  improvement.

"Our results may give hope to many people with moderate  obstructive sleep 
apnea syndrome and snoring, as well as their partners," the  report's authors 
said"