Thought your partner’s snoring was bad?
Jenny Chapman is not the easiest of people to sleep next to.
Most nights her husband Colin has to move to another room to give himself half a chance of not being woken. He hasn’t had an uninterrupted night’s sleep in the 30 years they’ve been married.
You see, Mrs. Chapman holds the rather unusual accolade of being one of the UK’s loudest snorers.
Unbelievably, her snoring is so loud (peaking at a level of 111.6 decibels) that it’s eight decibels louder than a low-flying jet.
Whilst her volume might be unusual, the fact that she is a snorer doesn’t place her in a minority.
Far from it in fact.
In the UK, around 75% of the population are believed to be snorers with the condition most prevalent in middle-aged men.
The exact cause is not known but issues with the nasal passage and soft tissue at the back of the throat are thought to be the main culprits. The noise itself is caused by your tongue, mouth, throat or airways in your nose vibrating as you breathe.
If you are a big snorer, what can you do to improve the situation?
Well, you're more likely to snore if you:
are overweight
smoke
drink too much alcohol
sleep on your back
There are also a number of products on the market designed to open up your airways at night time which are worth looking into.
If you’re struggling with all four of the above simultaneously, then it’s probably wise to tackle them one at a time.
It is important to recognise that loud and persistent snoring can sometimes be an indication of a far more serious condition known as obstructive sleep apnea.
If left untreated, this condition can have grave impacts on your health long-term.
