It is now that time of year when people are starting to think about their annual summer holiday, for many this is the highlight of the year. Often the first time that you will get a chance to relax will be when you set off on your journey…but what is that dreadful noise beside you spoiling your holiday already…your partner is snoring!

So what can you do if you have to travel with a snorer? Allen Davey and Marianne Davey from the BSSAA joined us with some helpful advice.

	Nancy wants to know: "What is the reason for National Stop Snoring Week?"
Allen and Marianne said:	The whole purpose of National Stop Snoring week is to let the public know that help is available for those who snore particularly when you're on holiday that seems to be a time when people have really serious problems.
	Shane wants to know: "Are some people more prone to snoring than others?"
Allen and Marianne said:	Particularly those who are overweight, smoke and drink too much, now when on holiday you do tend to want to spend more time in the bar and this smoky atmosphere and the extra alcohol can give rise to a noisy night.
	snorer wants to know: "why is it that sleeping on your back means you are more likely to start snoring."
Allen and Marianne said:	When you sleep on your back your tongue can tend to block the airway behind it and cause the airway to vibrate.
	Angela wants to know: "Is snoring a medical condition?"
Allen and Marianne said:	No, snoring may be a symptom of obstructive sleep apnoea which is a serious medical condition. Sleep apnoea develops from regular heavy snoring.
	Helen wants to know: "Can sleep apnoea be cured?"
Allen and Marianne said:	CPAP is the gold standard treatment for obstructive sleep apnoea. It is 100% successful (almost), for the 75% of sufferers who tolerate the treatment. CPAP treatment involves the use of a mask over the nose which is connected to a small blower unit which pushes air under pressure into the air way and supports the tissue preventing it from vibrating and collapsing.
	Greg wants to know: "Do more men snore than women?"
Allen and Marianne said:	Yes they do. In the UK there are approximately 10.5 million male snorers and 4.5 million female snorers, so the ratio is about 2:1.
	leslie wants to know: "Will snoring dissipate after time?"
Allen and Marianne said:	No, snoring normally gets worse if left untreated.
	Victor wants to know: "Are there any natural remedies for snoring?"
Allen and Marianne said:	Palatal flutter can be reduced by the application of a herbal astringent spray called Snore Calm Herbal Spray, available from Chemists and Supermarkets like ASDA and Wilkinson.
	Janet wants to know: "A few years ago my husband was considering treatment for snoring. He looked into getting an operation however we heard that after a while scar tissue can cause people to snore again and sometimes even worse, is this true? "
Allen and Marianne said:	Surgery for snoring should be considered a last resort and considerable effort must be made to solve the problem before contemplating a treatment which is painful and irreversible. The short-term results of surgery are often better than the long-term results and if snoring reoccurs surgery cannot be performed over and over again.
	fredrica wants to know: "How did you become involved in the National Snoring Week? "
Allen and Marianne said:	The British Snoring and Sleep Apnoea Association has promoted National Stop Snoring Week since the early 90's and we aim each year to bring the problems of snoring to the consciousness of the nation.
	fredrica wants to know: "What is the worst cure for snoring you have heard?"
Allen and Marianne said:	I once saw a photograph of Indian Gentleman in the market Delhi who had the most imaginative solution I have ever seen it took the form of a piece of string which he had inserted into his nose and brought out through his mouth and tied in a knot, this contraption stopped his soft palate from vibrating. Snore Calm Herbal Spray may be easier to use.
	fredrica wants to know: "My dad snores rather heavily but does not smoke, drink or is overweight, what could be the problem?"
Allen and Marianne said:	Perhaps he breathes through his mouth at night when nature intended that we should all breathe through our noses. If that is the case and he can breathe well through his nose but simply lets his jaw drop open through habit, Snore Calm Chin-Up Strips will solve the problem. Please let us know how you get on.
	Lee wants to know: "Do young people snore?"
Allen and Marianne said:	M: Young people do snore very often, children snore for a different reason to adults. Sometimes children snore because they have over large tonsils and adenoids, but usually by the time they are 7 or 8 years old they stop snoring and it doesn't resume again. Older children might snore because they suffer from allergy type symptoms, similar to adults, for example if they have feather bedding they may be allergic to the feathers and by simply using a different type of pillow they might stop snoring.
	Yvonne wants to know: "What is 'Upper Airway Restriction Syndrome (UARS)'? "
Allen and Marianne said:	A: It's a condition halfway between snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea. It is not a universally accepted condition and no clear definition is given in the literature.
	fredrica wants to know: "What is the worst case of snoring that you have heard of? "
Allen and Marianne said:	M: Mel Switzer from Hampshire is the loudest snorer in the world and his snoring reaches 92 db most snorers are in the range of 50-75 db.
	Jimmy wants to know: "If you could compare the amount of decibels created by snoring with another noise what would it be?"
Allen and Marianne said:	M: A motorbike revving up right by your ear.
	Angela wants to know: "How many people seek treatment for their snoring?"
Allen and Marianne said:	A: Not enough. In our holiday questionnaire on www.britishsnoring.co.uk, we discovered that about 50% of the respondents had not sought any help for their snoring.
	Dave wants to know: "If snoring was ruining your holiday. Where would you go and sleep to escape?"
Allen and Marianne said:	M: Many people sleep on the balcony, in the bathroom or at worst they pack up and go home because the snoring is so bad. Many people avoid camping, caravan and coach holidays and even avoid long flights with a snorer.
	Jill wants to know: "Do you think people really book separate rooms due to snoring whilst on holiday?"
Allen and Marianne said:	A: Yes they do. Surprisingly about 20% claim to go to this extra expense so they can have the wonderful holiday they have looked forward to.
	Clara wants to know: "I live on my own, so how do I know if my snoring is a problem?"
Allen and Marianne said:	M: If it's not a problem if you're on your own then there is no need to worry. If you are going to share a room with somebody you will be advised to seek help for your snoring well in advance.
	Hannah wants to know: "What is it that causes the noise associated with snoring?"
Allen and Marianne said:	A: Like a reed in a Saxophone the tissues of the air way vibrate as inspired air flows over or around them, that's what makes the snoring noise.
	Melissa wants to know: "Why is it important to breathe through the nose and not through the mouth?"
Allen and Marianne said:	A: Breathing through the mouth causes turbulent air in the Oropharynx. When you breathe through your nose the air flow is laminar and gentle over the soft palate and into the air way. This prevents turbulence.
	Anthony wants to know: "I'm a snorer, if I stop smoking will this improve my condition?"
Allen and Marianne said:	M: Yes the chances are very high that it will. Cigarette smoke causes the lining of the nose and throat to swell making breathing difficult. When you give up smoking the lining of your nose and throat will return to normal and you will probably stop snoring.
	Sally wants to know: "Will fixing my snoring improve my lifestyle?"
Allen and Marianne said:	A: Yes and no. Yes, snoring is likely to disrupt your sleep and certainly will disrupt the sleeping of your bed partner. You may have bruises to prove that. And no, the reverse will be true, fixing your lifestyle will reduce your snoring. I am thinking in terms of alcohol consumption, smoking and being heavier than you might wish to be.
	Oliver Willetts wants to know: "I like my sleep, but unfortunately my partner is a heavy snorer. We've tried everything to prevent it from occurring from aromatherapy oils to nose plugs, but nothing works. Does the BSSAA have any recommendations for persistent snorers, or should we consider amputation? "
Allen and Marianne said:	M: There is a resolution for everybody, but your partner has just not found anything that works for him/her yet. It is important to find the cause first and then you can treat it appropriately. Why not log on to our web page www.britishsnoring.co.uk for some information.
	Ben wants to know: "Is snoring dangerous?"
Allen and Marianne said:	A: Only in as much as you may be beaten up by your bed partner every night. Seriously though if snoring develops into obstructive sleep apnoea the excessive daytime sleepiness characteristic of this disease has been know to be responsible for many motor accidents and other disasters.
	Sara wants to know: "Is snoring something that you can develop when you get older, if so why is this?"
Allen and Marianne said:	M: Yes it is. As we get older we all lose our muscle tone and that includes muscle tone in the mouth, throat and neck area which predisposes us to snore. Women tend to start snoring later than men, but by the time women reach about 70 years of age there are as many women who snore as men.
	Tom wants to know: "Can dairy products cause someone to snore?"
Allen and Marianne said:	M: Not directly. Sometimes however dairy products can cause excess catarrh that can cause snoring. Snore Calm Herbal Spray will help to eliminate catarrhal symptoms.
	Neil wants to know: "Is it true that weight gain can bring on snoring?"
Allen and Marianne said:	M: Weight gain can cause snoring especially for men who tend to put on weight around the neck area. A collar size of 16.5 or greater will predispose men to snore. Losing just a few pounds in weight can make the difference between snoring and not.
	Neil wants to know: "Is there a type of exercise I can do to strengthen my throat muscles? As I have heard that weak throat muscles cause the surrounding tissues to sag and vibrate which causes snoring."
Allen and Marianne said:	A: A doctor called Henry Flack put a advertisement in the British Medical Journal decades ago asking for volunteers to join a trial of mouth exercises that he had developed. Since then several researchers have followed the theory that exercises can resolve a snoring problem. We have not been convinced by the results of those trials.
	A & M: Thank you for joining us, we hope our advice will be helpful to you. Call our helpline 0800 085 1097 for further information. Best Wishes.

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