SNORING is not to be sniffed at – with more than half of sufferers taking desperate measures to stop, new research shows.
A survey has found 56 per cent of us either snore or have a partner who does.
ShutterstockWe reveal some unusual snore hacks to help you[/caption]
The study, commissioned by tech firm Mute, quizzed 2,000 adults and found more than half have turned to weird and wacky remedies, including shoving a tennis ball down their pyjamas.
But do the tricks actually work?
Emma Pietras reveals some of the more unusual snore hacks.
Hot nose probe
NASAL congestion is one of the major causes because it forces people to breathe through their mouth, causing soft tissue at the back of the throat to vibrate – producing a snoring sound.
In 2019, it was revealed a firm in the US had developed a hand-held probe, known as Vivaer, which can heat up to 60c and uses radiofrequency ablation (RFA) to destroy bulky nasal tissue.
PR handoutPutting a couple of drops of Olbas oil on your pillow can help if you’re bunged up[/caption]
But a less drastic step is putting a couple of drops of Olbas oil on your pillow.
Sleep expert Dr Neil Stanley has said that while the RFA device may help with nasal obstruction, it wouldn’t be beneficial for those with sleep apnoea.
Mouth tape
MANY people in the survey admitted they had resorted to taping their mouth.
The TikTok trend involves placing tape over your lips to encourage breathing through your nose.
ShutterstockSome people resorted to taping their mouth shut before bed[/caption]
But research into mouth taping consists of only a few trials being carried out. Others in the study admitted to placing a peg on their nose.
The NHS advises losing weight if you’re overweight, the most common cause of obstructive sleep apnea, a condition where the throat walls relax and narrow during sleep, interrupting breathing.
Research has shown 10 per cent weight loss can improve symptoms by 50 per cent.
Tennis ball in PJs
WHILE sleeping on your back can be great for your spine, it can cause your tongue to block your airways.
And it might seem a bit weird, but the NHS has recommended taping or stitching a tennis ball to the back of your jimjams to help keep you off your back.
ShutterstockThe NHS recommended taping or stitching a tennis ball to the back of your jimjams[/caption]
However not everyone has the skills to be on The Great British Sewing Bee, so for an alternative hack you could try propping yourself up with some extra pillows because a more upright position will mean less pressure on the airway compared to lying flat.
Special ergonomic-shaped anti-snore pillows can also encourage you to change your head and body position to help open up your airways and prevent snoring.
Tongue yoga
RESEARCHERS in Brazil claim a simple set of tongue exercises can dramatically reduce snoring in patients.
The study, published in 2015, found a series of six exercises that can cut down the frequency of snoring by 36 per cent.
ShutterstockTongue yoga involves moving your tongue and your mouth[/caption]
The exercise involves moving your tongue and your mouth.
However if you don’t fancy getting funny looks while you do a spot of mouth yoga, you could try having a hot shower or bath before bed to clear the airways.
Having a humidifier in the bedroom can also help to improve air quality because pollution can trigger allergies or lead to irritated airways and congestion, causing snoring.