Show and Tell: The Art of Definition

A good definition makes complicated things easy to understand by using strong words and translating images. Consumer Reports was the first publication that came to mind in my search for a strong verbal definition. A gift from my dad for years, Consumer Reports explains and reviews almost any product imaginable. Shower heads, grocery stores, lawn mowers, televisions, multivitamins, house paint - you name it, they report about it.

I surprisingly didn't find an explanation of a household item, but came across this explanation of sleep apnea and its effect on the body:

"The most common type, obstructive sleep apnea, is caused by inhaled air squeezing through narrowed airways in the mouth, nose, or throat, causing flabby tissue to vibrate. That noisy snoring is often first noticed by family members or bed partners. Sometimes the airways close off, preventing airflow to the lungs and causing breathing lapses for as long as 2 minutes. As blood-oxygen levels fall and carbon-dioxide blood levels rise, the brain is triggered to interrupt sleep. The sleeper awakens suddenly, struggling to breathe, often choking, snorting, and gasping until normal breathing resumes."

Now I know, and knowing is half the battle. Thanks, Consumer Reports.