| Most people snore sometimes, if not all the time. | | | | 'mandibular advancement splints', which, worn in |
| Some snore loudly, some just purr. Surveys have | | | | the mouth, 'set the jaws to their optimum |
| produced different results, but it is probable that | | | | position' [!]. |
| about half of us over the age of 30 snore. The | | | | Snoring can cause serious social, psychological, |
| probability of snoring increases with age and | | | | physical and medical problems and should not be |
| obesity and about 60% of men and 40% of | | | | taken too lightly. Socially, families may suffer from |
| women do it regularly, even more do it | | | | having a heavy snorer in the household. Friends |
| infrequently. | | | | and colleagues may not invite a heavy snorer to |
| Snoring is caused when there is an obstruction to | | | | 'sleep over' or go on holiday or on business trips |
| the free flow of air in the back of the throat and | | | | together. Psychologically, a snorer may feel |
| or nose. This area is 'collapsible', so the noise is | | | | ostracised, embarrassed or even victimized for |
| usually produced by the flapping of the uvula | | | | something that is really totally beyond his or her |
| against the soft (upper) palate. Therefore, weak | | | | control. Physically, snorers suffer from lack of |
| throat muscles or a 'fat neck' can aggravate the | | | | sleep and all that that entails; for example, |
| condition. Consumption of alcohol in the late | | | | daytime drowsiness and the inability to |
| evening increases the chances of snoring because | | | | concentrate for log periods of time, which in turn |
| it relaxes the throat muscles and sleeping on one's | | | | can cause problems at work and in the car - a |
| back allows the tongue to slip back and partially | | | | high proportion of road accidents is caused by the |
| block the airway. Also, not everyone is built to | | | | driver dozing at the wheel. Medically, a recent |
| exactly the same proportions - some have a | | | | Australian survey reported that, after treatment, |
| longer, narrower palate, which is more collapsible | | | | heavy snorers were 64% less likely to suffer a |
| and others have a longer uvula, which is more | | | | heart attack or stroke, because heavy snoring, |
| flappable. | | | | which can also be sleep apnoea, puts extra stress |
| Some say wearing a ring on one of the little | | | | on the heart. Obstructive apnoea is the condition |
| fingers helps because it puts pressure on a | | | | where a snorer stops breathing due to complete |
| relevant acupuncture point. Others put a tennis ball | | | | obstruction of the airway for up to ten seconds |
| in a sock and sew the sock to the back of their | | | | seven times an hour while sleeping. This can |
| pyjamas. One doctor even suggested that playing | | | | happen between 30 and 300 times a night. After |
| the didgeridoo could cure snoring by tightening up | | | | years of apnoea, hypertension and an enlarged |
| and toning the throat muscles. | | | | heart may result. |
| Drinking less the evening, losing weight and | | | | Light snoring is not necessarily serious but even |
| sleeping on your side are the best 'home' | | | | that means obstructed breathing, which is not a |
| remedies. However, there are also surgical | | | | good thing. Heavy snoring can be a sign of a |
| appliances on the market and surgery is available | | | | problem or a warning of problems to come. A |
| too. The appliances vary, but they range from | | | | doctor can help; snoring is neither funny nor |
| adhesive strips to hold the nostrils open to | | | | hopeless. |