Snoring and sleep apnoea

Snoring affects 30–50% of the population, mostly middle-aged men with a shirt-collar size of 17 or more, who drink, smoke and are physically unfit. It is caused when breathing through the mouth makes the relaxed tissues at the back of the throat vibrate. Enlarged tonsils, adenoids or a blocked nose can cause temporary snoring, but a chronic problem is usually caused by slack or flabby throat muscles. If your airway becomes completely blocked, frequently causing you to wake momentarily gasping for breath during the night, you have sleep apnoea.

Sleep apnoea causes daytime sleepiness, moodiness, poor memory and an increased risk of high blood pressure, stroke and heart attack, so you must see your doctor.

There are several ways to reduce the effects of snoring and apnoea:

• Lose weight, get fit, stop smoking and drinking and avoid sleeping pills.
• Sleep on your side.
• Use special pillows or nasal clips or strips (the type rugby players use).
• Medical treatments include an air pressure device called the CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) device which can bring about dramatic improvements in apnoea sufferers.
• High-risk apnoea patients can have surgery to cauterise the soft palate as a last resort.