They cause noise and often disrupt sleep for both the snorer and their partner.
However, persistent snoring doesn’t just have a negative impact on relationships.
Experts say ignoring snoring can increase the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes.
Pavol Saada, consultant ear, nose and throat surgeon at London Bridge Hospital, told Mail Online that sleep apnoea causes blocked airflow, fragmented sleep and low oxygen levels in the blood, which puts strain on the cardiovascular system.
According to the British Snoring and Sleep Apnoea Association, an estimated 15 million people in the UK snore, or around one in five, so this is no small problem.
According to the British Snoring and Sleep Apnoea Association (BSSAA), there are around 15 million snorers in the UK, of which around 30 million have sleep apnoea.
So what causes snoring in the first place?
The harsh sound of snoring is caused by the vibration of the tongue, mouth, throat, or nasal airways when breathing, which occurs when air cannot flow freely.
This is partly because these parts of the body relax and narrow when you sleep.
While reduced breathing space isn’t a problem for most people, snorers may have an additional obstruction somewhere between their Adam’s apple and the tip of their nose.
The blockage may result in swelling, congestion or deformation of tissue, according to the BSSAA.
According to the NHS, people who smoke, are overweight, drink too much alcohol or sleep on their backs are more likely to snore.
But snoring can also have a more serious cause.
“Occasional snoring is generally nothing to be concerned about, but habitual snoring could indicate an underlying health problem that needs attention,” Saada said.
Snoring or sleep apnea?
Frequent waking during the night, daytime sleepiness, and morning headaches are some of the signs of sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea is a condition in which breathing temporarily stops, resulting in loud snoring.
“It’s important to recognise the signs that your snoring may require specialist intervention,” Saada said.
“Persistent loud snoring, choking or shortness of breath while sleeping, excessive daytime sleepiness, morning headaches, chest pain and stuffy nose are warning signs that shouldn’t be ignored.”
He explains that there are two different types of sleep apnea: central sleep apnea (CSA) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
CSA is caused when the brain doesn’t send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing during sleep, while OSA is caused by a blockage in the upper airway, Saada said.
More people suffer from obstructive sleep apnea than from central sleep apnea.
Like normal snoring, sleep apnea occurs when the muscles in the back of the throat relax too much, causing a partial or complete blockage of the airway.
However, interrupted airflow fragments sleep, reduces oxygen levels in the blood and puts a strain on the cardiovascular system.
If left untreated, it can increase the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes, Saada said.
“If you suspect that you or a loved one may have sleep apnea, it’s vital that you seek the help of a sleep specialist,” he said.
“Specialists can perform a thorough evaluation, including a sleep study, which monitors breathing patterns, oxygen levels and other vital signs while you sleep.”
“Treatment options vary depending on the severity of symptoms and may include lifestyle changes, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, oral appliances, and in some cases surgery.”
Your quality of sleep may be reduced…
We all want to get a good night’s sleep, but sharing a bed with someone who snores can make it difficult.
Less sleep can have a range of effects, from increased stress levels to high blood pressure, and may also increase the risk of some cancers, according to a 2017 review published in the journal The Nature and Science of Sleep.
If snoring is disrupting your or your partner’s rest, talking to your doctor about your symptoms may help.
According to the NHS, there are a number of ways to manage snoring, depending on what’s causing it.
A CPAP (pictured) is a mask that gently blows air into your mouth and nose while you sleep. It’s designed to help you breathe better while you sleep by keeping your airways from narrowing too much.
If the problem is that your tongue is partially blocking the back of your throat, a device worn inside the mouth called a mandibular advancement device can solve this problem by moving the tongue forward.
Snoring can also be caused by your mouth being open while you sleep, which can be improved by using a vestibular shield, a device that you place in your mouth while you sleep and forces you to breathe through your nose. A chin strap to keep your mouth closed can also help.
If snoring is caused by a blocked or narrowed airway, wearing a tape that keeps your nose open while you sleep is another way to stop snoring.
While sleep apnea can sometimes be treated with lifestyle changes, such as losing weight, quitting smoking, and drinking less alcohol, many people need to use a device called a CPAP machine.
A CPAP machine is a mask that gently pushes air into your mouth and nose while you sleep. It is designed to help you breathe better while you sleep by preventing your airways from narrowing too much and reducing snoring.
