My guest this evening was Mr Bhik Kotecha, Consultant Ear, Nose and  Throat Surgeon at Spire Hartswood Hospital. He was ghere to discuss snoring as it’s National Stop Snoring Week.

Snoring is caused by the vibration of  the soft tissue in your head and neck as you breathe in. While you are asleep the airways in you head and neck relax and narrow. It is thought the narrowing of the airways increases the speed at which you are breathing out and changes air pressure in your airways. This causes the soft tissues to vibrate by sucking the sides of the airways in.

The same effect can be the result of partially blocked airways, so even people who don’t tend to snore might find that they do when they get a cold.

A survey carried out by the British Snoring and Sleep Apnoea Associaton found 40%  of the population snore. Some very lightly and others loud enough to be heard in the next room!!

Things that increase your risk of snoring are obesity, drinking alcohol, sedatives, smoking or allergies. Try some lifestyle changes before consulting your doctor and if these don’t make any difference it may be that you need medical help. Surgery is only used as a last resort, and each patient would be tested to ascertain the type of snoring. Spire Hartswood has a stroboscope, which gives enhanced vision, and leads to a more effective diagnosis and treatment.

Call Hartswood to arrange a consultation.