08/21/2026
For many men, snoring is less a medical concern than a running joke — a reason to get nudged awake in the middle of the night. But sometimes, it’s a sign that something more serious is happening while they sleep.
Obstructive sleep apnea can quietly deprive the body of oxygen night after night, and it often goes hand in hand with conditions men are more likely to ignore, including high blood pressure, obesity, decreased libido and erectile dysfunction. The risks can extend further, too, including heart failure, atrial fibrillation, blood clots and stroke.
Dr. Jake Hamaker, a Rockford native and physician-in-training who will soon join Beloit Health System, explains why sleep apnea is so often overlooked, what happens during a sleep study and how treatment can sometimes reverse the condition altogether.
Men tend to wait until they have significant symptoms before seeing a physician. Sometimes, that’s too late. Dr. Jake Hamaker is a Rockford native who’s finishing his residency in Indianapolis and expects to begin working at Beloit Health System in late August. This May, Hamaker practiced under ...
