Snoring

Snoring is caused when your tongue, mouth, throat or airways in your nose vibrate as you breathe when you are relaxing and sleeping. There are certain factors which increase your likelihood of snoring, including: - Being overweight - If you are a smoker - Drinking too much alcohol - Sleeping posture, particularly if you sleep on your back - Congestion such as having a cold - Being overweight - Medical conditions such as sleep apnoea, which is when your airways become temporarily blocked as you sleep.

To help prevent snoring, you can try a number of things. Below we have listed some methods you can try to help control and prevent snoring. - Using snoring aids to offer temporary relief - If your partner is being disturbed by your snoring, ask them to use ear plugs - Try lose weight healthy and maintain a balanced diet if you are overweight - Sleep on your side instead of laying on your back - Quit smoking - Drink less alcohol - Stop taking sleeping pills and monitor if there is an improvement as they can sometimes cause snoring.

Snoring is generally nothing to worry about, however, if other symptoms such as headaches and/or a sore throat when you wake up, loss of concentration and excessive sleepiness during the day, this may be a sign of sleep apnoea. Other signs of sleep apnoea might include: - Chest pain at night - Restless sleep - Breathing stopping and starting or making gasping, snorting or choking noises whilst sleeping Sleep apnoea can be serious if left undiagnosed and untreated. Contact your GP if you think you have sleep apnoea.