Do You Snore?

Colleen Shannon, our Health Writer, explains why it’s no laughing matter.

WE tend to joke about it when someone’s snoring keeps the whole house awake at night, but it may actually be a sign to take a closer look at your health.

That’s because snoring could result from an underlying condition that should be treated. It can also cause difficulties in your everyday life and your relationships.

To learn more, I had a chat with Mr Bhaskar Ram, Consultant Ear, Nose and Throat Surgeon at BMI Albyn Hospital in Aberdeen. As part of his duties, he sees patients at the hospital’s sleep and snoring service.

He told me that up to one in nine people have a problem with snoring, and it is becoming more common.

You can think of snoring’s effects as following a spectrum, from very mild disruption on one end all the way through to a serious effect on the other.

Snoring might force you and your partner to sleep in separate rooms, for example, or to avoid going on holiday.

Part of the impact depends on the cause, so it is important to get a diagnosis from a doctor.

Snoring happens when your breathing is disrupted during sleep. In some people it can be due to allergies, which are easily treated with medication.

It could also be a problem with the structures (anatomy) in your nose. Although surgery is less favoured for snoring these days, in a few cases involving the nose it can help.

It can also happen because your throat relaxes too much during sleep. Most often the cause of this is age or being overweight.

As snoring progresses it can get worse and lead to a condition called sleep apnoea. When this happens your breathing is interrupted for a few seconds every time you snore. Your brain wakes you up a little bit, just enough to get your breathing started again. Your partner may notice that your breathing halts or that you seem to gasp during sleep.

When it starts happening several times a night, the effects are significant. Sleep apnoea can increase your risk of high blood pressure, heart attack or stroke.

It will also leave you feeling really tired in the morning. Your concentration may be reduced, you can become irritable and you are more likely to have accidents.

If snoring is starting to affect your life, please see your GP. They can refer you to a specialist who will determine the cause and recommend treatment.

Sometimes, your dentist can make a special mouthpiece that you wear at night to keep your airway open. Stopping smoking, cutting down on alcohol, and sleeping on your side might also help.

Some people benefit from a home breathing machine, which uses a technology called continuous positive airways pressure (CPAP). It gently blows oxygen through a tube in your nose or a small mask to keep your airways open. This is a temporary treatment while you address underlying causes.

You can learn more about snoring by visiting the NHS Choices website at www. nhs.uk or look at www.bmihealthcare.co. uk for information from the BMI Hospital’s sleep and snoring service. n

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