How can I stop my husband's snoring

asks MissDon:
A. Snoring is no joke. A recent survey found that it is the cause of one in seven domestic rows, and 95% of those questioned said they were woken by their partner's heavy snoring at least once a week, with 39% being woken every night!

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Q. How do woken-up partners deal with it
A. Usually by kicking, prodding and shaking the snorer! Sometimes the partner took sleeping pills or wore ear plugs just to escape the noise, which can sound like a train passing through the room, and many tried sleeping in another room.

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Q. Who is most likely to snore
A. As many as 40% of adults are snorers, and they are most likely to be older males.

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Q. What causes it
A. Snoring is produced by vibration at the back of the throat, caused by an obstruction to the free flow of air. The reason for that could be:

• poor muscle tone in the tongue and throat, sometimes due to alcohol or drugs
• weight gain - extra weight around the neck can lead to snoring
• colds - having a stuffy noses means you're likely to snore
• some kind of obstruction, such as a polyp or cyst, or even enlarged tonsils.

Q. Are there any health risks associated with snoring
A. Apart from being thumped by your partner Yes, it may be a sign of cardio-respiratory problems and has been linked to an increased risk of high blood pressure and strokes.

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Q. What can the snorer do
A. Lose weight, don't drink alcohol before bedtime, sew a tennis ball on to the back of his pyjamas to stop him sleeping on his back - many snorers tend to snore only in this position, try one of the products designed to stop snoring - sticky strips to hold your nostrils open, mouthwashes and nasal sprays (ask your pharmacist for advice), visit the GP to check for sinus or other problems.

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Q. What if it is a severe snoring problem
A. Severe cases will be referred to an ENT specialist, usually because there is an obstruction in the airway - a polyp in the nose, large tonsils, or a cyst in the larynx. There's also an operation which takes away tissue from the back of the throat to increase the diameter of the airway, but it isn't suitable for everyone.

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Q. Where can I find out more
A. Visit the British Snoring and Sleep Apnoea Association (BSSAA) website.

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By Sheena Miller