There are thousands of snorers, the majority of them men. The number of snorers will go up in the future because of the increase in obesity which can cause or worsen the condition.

This is unfortunate because snoring ‒ often dismissed as a joke – can have a devastating effect on people’s lives. It can lead to the breakdown of relationships because partners cannot endure the disturbed or sleepless nights caused by it.

Men snore louder than women, with 10.4 million male snorers compared to 4.5 million females. 58 per cent of snorers are aged 50-59. A tendency to snore may be in our genes. Some snorers produce more hormone called ghrelin increasing appetite and making people overweight, so increasing their tendency to snore, according to recent research by Professor Tim Spector of St Thomas’ Hospital, London.

We regularly see snoring levels of around 80 decibels of sound pressure which compares with having the television on in a bedroom. Some people snore even louder, around 92 sound pressure decibels, which equates with the sort of noise you’d find in a particularly noisy pub.

The good news is there are many successful treatments out there and this not only helps choose the best one for the individual, but also check treatments for their effectiveness.

Robert Royston, a clinical scientist at the Royal National Throat Nose & Ear Hospital, London, predicts: "The number of snorers will go up in the future because of the increase in obesity which can cause or worsen the condition.

He has invented a new machine, the Snoreometer, which can record snoring levels for up to two weeks in a sufferer’s home.

"It’s a breakthrough as we can identify how serious the individual’s snoring problem is, then offer treatment, says Dr Royston.

He urges snorers and their partners whose lives are badly affected by their snoring to seek help.

What causes snoring?

There are many causes and it’s important to find out what causes your snoring so you can choose the appropriate treatment.

• Overeating and lack of exercise leading to an increase of fat around the throat which results in insufficient muscle tone to keep the airway fully open at night. A narrow airway is much more likely to vibrate ‒ loudly.
• Excessive or heavy drinking because alcohol causes the throat muscles to relax, and it also leads to nasal irritation.
• Allergy to feather pillows and pet hair are other common causes of severe snoring, and asthma and eczema are also associated with snoring problems.
• Smoking, sleeping tablets and sedatives, sleeping flat on your back and allergies to dust and house dust mites add to the list of aggravating factors.

First steps of help

• Consult your GP for advice. If you are overweight, lose weight particularly around the neck area. Men with a collar size of 16.5 and over are much more likely to snore.
• Give up smoking, or avoid smoking and alcohol for at least four hours before bed.
• Educate yourself to sleep on your side rather than your back, say by propping pillows behind you, as it will mean the airway is less restricted.

Treatments

• Nasal dilators are useful for small or collapsing nostrils which, if untreated, force the sleeper to breathe through the mouth and lead to snoring.
• Nasal sprays can reduce stuffiness caused by allergies.
• Snorers who breathe through their mouths can use oral shields to help keep the mouth closed.
• If snoring is particularly severe and has a palate-based cause, surgery is sometimes recommended. This is considered only after a sleep-based study and may not be offered to those who smoke or drink.
• Some snorers’ sleep is severely disturbed because breathing is temporarily suspended forcing the sufferer to wake up many times a night. This is obstructive sleep apnoea and sufferers can benefit from a nasal mask and device, CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) which keeps the upper airway open.