23 April 2018

In case you didn’t know, this week (23 – 27 April) is National Stop Snoring Week, an annual event which is organised by the British Snoring and Sleep Apnoea Association.

You might wonder why there needs to be a week dedicated to snoring. Apart from it being a little annoying (or sometimes very annoying depending on who’s sleeping next to you), what more do we need to know about snoring? Well as it turns out, a lot!

The main aim of the campaign is to promote awareness of snoring, the health complications it can cause and the key message that snoring can actually be treated and there’s no need to suffer in silence… or suffer in noise more like!

The British Snoring & Sleep Apnoea Association say that in the UK there are around 15 million snorers, and further research suggests that serial snorers are more likely to suffer adverse health conditions compared to non-snorers. Health risks of snoring include strokes, heart disease and serious injury. Admittedly that last one depends on how annoyed your partner gets that they can’t get to sleep because of the noise. But in all seriousness, it is important to find solutions to snoring that suit you and help lower the risk of these things happening. That’s what National Stop Snoring Week is all about.

There are a few different things you can do to reduce and hopefully eradicate your snoring habits. Firstly, a change in lifestyle may help. You’re more likely to be a snorer if you are overweight, smoke regularly or drink alcohol excessively. So, to reduce or perhaps even stop snoring, you may need to try and lose weight, quit smoking and try not to drink too much alcohol.

It may also be worth a conversation with the dentist too. Snoring is often caused by things like your tongue, mouth, throat or airways in your nose vibrating as you breathe. A dentist may be able to look inside your mouth and check for any problems that may be causing you to snore.

They may also be able to suggest a solution to the problem, depending on what’s causing it. If your snoring is lifestyle related, they could give you advice about reducing your alcohol intake and smoking cessation services. For others, an oral appliance like a mouthguard may be needed. Some may benefit from a throat spray, but your dentist or GP will be able to advise you best.

What better time to start sleeping soundly than this week? The solutions are out there, go find them!