Snoring. It’s something that around 15 million people in the UK do. So what is it? Snoring is when the flow of air as you breathe makes the tissues in the back of your throat vibrate. It’s said that the 3 most common causes of snoring are being overweight, drinking alcohol in excess, eating just before going to bed or smoking.
Here are some other facts about this common habit that occurs while you’re asleep.
Snoring is caused by a partial obstruction of the airway during sleep. This can be caused by a number of factors, including obesity, alcohol consumption, and certain medical conditions.
The sound of snoring can range from between 50dB all the way up to 100. To put this into perspective, around 80dB is the sound of a dishwasher.
Those who are partners of snorers report they get just 3-5 hours sleep per night. The recommended amount is around 7 hours per night. While on the subject of partners, 1 in 3 of those with a partner who snores, report disharmony in their relationship.
Around 4 in 10 men snore, and the stats for women stand at 3 in 10.
There are several over-the-counter products available that claim to help reduce snoring, such as nasal sprays, nasal strips, and special pillows.
In some cases, snoring may require medical intervention, such as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy or surgery.
People who snore should also be aware of other symptoms such as choking, gasping or pauses in breathing during sleep, which can indicate sleep apnea.
Snoring can be caused by certain medical conditions such as nasal congestion, deviated septum, or enlarged tonsils or adenoids.
If you snore, you can (at least partly) blame your parents! Snoring is often hereditary. So if you’re a snorer, it’s very likely a family member does too!
If you’re a regular snorer, you are more likely to have a stroke or develop type 2 diabetes. This is by 5 times more than someone who doesn’t.
Snoring does have solutions. One possible way forward is to try and lose weight, avoid food before bed time, raising your head when you’re sleeping (use extra pillows), and also avoid sleeping on your back. Read more with our blog tips to stop snoring.
