With around 15 million snorers in the UK and 75% of couples surveyed regularly sleeping in separate rooms, find out how to stop snoring and let us know your thoughts
A British Snoring and Sleep Apnoea Association (BSSAA) survey has found that snoring is causing damage to relationships across the UK. Seventy-five per cent of UK couples are spending nights in separate rooms, causing embarrassment and distance between partners.
Sleeping separately
Sixty-one per cent even think their sleeping arrangements are socially unacceptable, so wouldn't talk about them openly.
Whilst a small proportion of couples were happy to sleep in separate rooms more than 80% said that they would sleep together in the marital bed if their snoring issues were resolved. A staggering 16% of those surveyed had been sleeping separately for more than 10 years.
If you're affected by snoring, we'd love to hear from you. Post your comments below
What causes snoring?
Snoring is defined as a coarse sound made by vibrations of the soft palate and other tissue in the mouth, nose & throat (upper airway). It is caused by turbulence inside the airway during inspiration. The turbulence is caused by a partial blockage that may be located anywhere from the tip of the nose to the vocal chords.
The restriction may occur only during sleep, or it may persist all the time and be worse when we are asleep. This is because our muscle tone is reduced during sleep and there may be insufficient muscle tone to prevent the airway tissue vibrating. During waking hours muscle tone keeps the airway in good shape - that's why we don't snore when awake.
Treating snoring
There is no cure for snoring, but it can be controlled by suitable treatments.
The key to finding a suitable treatment is to find out which type of snorer you are. There are three different types - snoring can originate from the nose, the mouth or the base of the tongue.
- For the nasal snorer - Nozovent, Kleerway Nasal Strips, Snoregem and Breathe Right Nasal Strips and Rhynil
- For the mouth snorer - Snore Calm Chin-Up Strips which will keep your mouth closed, or a Somni Snore Guard which will encourage you to breathe correctly through your nose, Rhynil
- For the tongue based snorer - Mandibular Advancement Device
- When the problem is mainly palatal flutter and some lateral pharyngeal wall collapse it is possible to undertake a Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UVPPP). This operation stiffens the palate and lateral pharyngeal walls by removing the tonsils and the uvula. This operation is an exquisitely uncomfortable and requires regular pain relief post-operatively.
Marianne Davey of the BSSAA says: 'There is hardly any difference in the sound of the different types of snoring, only highly skilled specialists can differ between them.'
Lifestyle factors, such as being overweight, smoking and drinking are all causes of snoring.
Snoring facts
- 61% of couples who never sleep apart believe they would get a better nights sleep if they did
- 86% of those who never sleep in separate rooms, but would like to, gave the reason as snoring
- 83% of those who always sleep apart would return to sleeping in the same room if their snoring was successfully treated.
Men vs Women
- 55% of women, compared with 62% of men, who always sleep in separate rooms do not feel comfortable talking about their sleeping arrangement
- More women than men would return to the marital bed if their reason for sleeping in a separate room was resolved
- Men who are happy sleeping apart cite having their own space as a major benefit whereas women say they sleep better
Snoring is a condition that predominately effects men - nearly half of all middle-aged men snore, but women tend to snore later in life with an increased prevalence after menopause at around 60-64 years of age. Additionally, snoring sound in women is less intense therefore snoring may not be such an issue for younger women.
If you're affected by snoring, we'd love to hear from you. Post your comments below