*Welcome to the OutUK series looking at gay men and their health brought to you in association with the NHS* website.**
	Each week we'll tackle a different topic in our A to Z of Gay Health. We'll have features and advice on everything from relationships, sexual health, mental and physical conditions and how to stay fit. You can follow any of links provided below for more information direct from the NHS website, or see this week's feature M: MRSA.

Snoring

Snoring is very common and is not usually caused by anything serious. There are things that can help if it's a problem.

Things you can do to help you stop snoring

Simple lifestyle changes can help stop or reduce snoring.

try to lose weight if you're overweight
sleep on your side - try taping or stitching a tennis ball to the back of your sleepwear, or buy a special pillow or bed wedge to help keep you on your side
consider asking your partner to use earplugs if your snoring affects their sleep

lifestyle changes are not helping your snoring
your snoring is having a big impact on your or your partner's life
you feel sleepy during the day, your breathing stops and starts while you sleep, or you make gasping or choking noises while you sleep - you may have sleep apnoea, which can be serious if not treated

If you snore, the GP will look inside your mouth and nose to check for any problems that might be causing it.

It can help to bring someone with you to your appointment who can describe what your snoring is like, such as a partner.

The GP may do a blood test or refer you to a specialist for treatment or further tests if they're not sure what the cause is.

Talk to a doctor about the best snoring treatment for you.

Surgery is sometimes used to treat snoring if other treatments do not help.

But it's not widely available on the NHS, it does not always work and snoring can come back afterwards.

Snoring is caused by things such as your tongue, mouth, throat or airways in your nose vibrating as you breathe.

It happens because these parts of your body relax and narrow when you're asleep.

You're more likely to snore if you:

Sometimes it's caused by a condition like sleep apnoea, which is when your airways become temporarily blocked as you sleep.

OutUK's A to Z of Gay Health continues and you can read this week's feature M: MRSA. We have covered many subjects in this series and you can catch up with all of our Previous A to Z Features. If you want to find out more about this particular topic you can visit the Original article on the NHS website. If you are worried by any aspect of your health make sure you go and see your doctor or book an appointment at your local clinic.
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