Snoring – it’s the night-time behaviour no-one likes to admit they do even though it really isn’t that unusual.
“Nearly everyone snores occasionally,” says sleep expert Dr Carmel Harrington, “and the older we get the more we snore.”
This is especially true for women, who are more likely to start snoring after menopause, when lower levels of the hormones oestrogen and progesterone reduce your ability to breathe during sleep. You may not even know you do it.
“While some women snore like troopers, others go undiagnosed because they snore so quietly,” Carmel says.
But even the sweetest of snores can disrupt your sleep. And a regular lack of sleep can lead to weight gain, heart disease and metabolic disease.
“Snoring truly is a sleep disorder because we’re meant to have enough sleep to wake up feeling energised.”
And yes, your sleep can be equally “disordered” when it’s your partner’s snoring that keeps you from getting the rest you need. Either way, here’s what you need to know about snoring and when to seek help for the sake of your health.
UNDERSTANDING SNORING
“Whether or not you snore comes down to a combination of things including the muscle tone and structure of your upper airways,” Carmel says.
As your body relaxes during sleep, so too do the muscles in the roof of your mouth, tongue and throat, which form your upper airways (also called the upper respiratory tract).
This story is from the March 2 2020 edition of New Zealand Woman's Weekly.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the March 2 2020 edition of New Zealand Woman's Weekly.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Mamma's milk bar WENDY'S HERBAL HELPER
When she had trouble breastfeeding, she found a solution that's got mums pumped
IVF egg-swap babies 'IT WAS THE BEST DECISION!'
In a bid for a deeper connection, the loving couple carried each other's baby and sometimes feed the other one's bub too!
Ahoy there, Verity! THE PIRATE OF GARNET STATION
The local legend's making a swashbuckling return to the stage
Take Two & add a farm! HOW DANIELLE FOUND HER BLISS
The Kiwi author's country crush is contagious and has led to some bestsellers
Nobody mention air fryers 'THE GADGET WE CAN'T AGREE ON!'
Parents Andrea and Mark run their busy households in very different ways
Bonnie's next chapter 'QUEEN CAMILLA MADE ME CONFESS!'
The bestselling author's next project is top secret... to everyone but Her Majesty
Davida and the Dames OUR MOTHER'S DAY MAGIC
It's a special celebration for Miranda Harcourt and her daughter - their beloved matriach Kate is back on her feet
NO GOING BACK
Harry's preserving his dignity after having to move out of home
Carole's a real queen! WILLIAM'S GO-TO IN A CRISIS
The heir and his mother-in-law have become firm friends as they care for Kate and the kids
It takes a village HEATHER'S MOTHERHOOD SECRETS
She may have lost herself a little, but the radio star's embracing life with Iggy