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Last Updated: Thursday, 5 July 2007, 09:03 GMT 10:03 UK
Three-quarters of Britons snore
Couple asleep
Snoring can be a serious problem
Three-quarters of British adults are snorers, and one in three snores so badly it stops their partner from sleeping, research has found.


This was followed by Sheffield, Glasgow and Plymouth.

The poll, of 1,788 adults, found 21% blamed snoring for making them feel less sexy in the bedroom.

1. Coventry (90%)
2. Sheffield (87%)
3. Glasgow (86%)
4. Plymouth (82%)
5. Leeds (82%)
6. Newcastle (79%)
7. Bristol (79%)
8. Manchester (78%)
9. Liverpool (77%)
10. Belfast (75%)

One in 10 said the embarrassment of snoring had stopped them sleeping with a new partner.

And one in five of those with partners said snoring had had a negative impact on their relationship.

Famous people renowned for their snoring include Winston Churchill, Michael Douglas, film director Ken Russell, and TV pundit John McCririck.

Former US President Teddy Roosevelt's snoring was so bad that when he stayed in a Washington hospital all the other patients had to be relocated to a different floor so that they could sleep.

Chris Idzikowski, a sleep expert from Edinburgh Sleep Centre, said: "Modern lifestyles can be blamed for this increase in snoring, with boozing and unhealthy eating to blame.

"Our research shows that although snoring is often made fun of, it's a real problem that can have important effects on our wellbeing and lifestyle.

"Apart from lack of sleep and tiredness, snoring can cause intimacy issues and put an unnecessary strain on relationships.

"But there are a number of things people can do to prevent and/or reduce snoring."

Snoring can often be caused by reduced airflow to the nasal passages, so sleeping with your head raised off the mattress, or on your side or stomach can help.

Losing weight, and cutting alcohol consumption can also work for some people.

The survey identified five distinct types of snorer:




  • The Walrus (8%): Typified by continuous groaning noises when sleeping.


Snoring 'could run in families'
10 Apr 06 |  Health

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