When to get Serious about Snoring

Even if it sounds like a motorbike, most snoring noises don’t indicate health problems, says Professor Robin Blair from the Ear, Nose and Throat Surgery at Dundee University, Australia. “Lying on your side to open airways more, exercising to tighten muscles and avoiding alcohol may help reduce the amount of snoring you do.”

However, if you’re snoring and gasping for breath, your airways could be blocked for longer than normal (it is common to stop breathing for a second or two) and you could be suffering from obstructive sleep apnoea. If this sounds like you, ask your GP to refer you to a specialist – who’ll monitor your sleep to see if your breathing is being restricted.