It is the cause of nocturnal misery and bedroom strife for millions of Britons and can even rival the volume of an express train. Snoring sits high on divorce petitions’ list of “unreasonable behaviour”. But where nasal strips, laser surgery and not-so-gentle shoving have failed, thousands of heavy snorers could soon be supplied with breathing masks on the NHS to give them – and their partners – a good night’s rest.

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), the watchdog that controls access to treatments, is ready to recommend wider use of the masks for sufferers of the condition known as obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS), The Times has learnt. The condition causes people to stop breathing intermittently during sleep, often causing them to be excessively tired and moody.

If left untreated, it has been known to lead to serious daytime accidents. About one in 20 middle-aged men and one in 50 women lose sleep because of severe forms of the condition, which has been linked with obesity, high blood pressure and heart disease.

The continuous positive airways pressure (CPAP) devices, worn as masks covering the nose or face, cost £400 to £600 and emit gently pressurised air during the night to keep the airways open and aid breathing. But the treatment is currently available only through selected NHS trusts and sleep clinics, as some local primary care trusts refuse to fund it.

NICE is expected to publish draft guidance on the use of the masks for sufferers of sleep apnoea throughout England and Wales next week. But provisional details issued by the watchdog to medical experts last month indicate that the masks could be recommended for patients with moderate or severe symptoms from next year.

Overweight men between the ages of 30 and 65 and children with enlarged tonsils or adenoids are most affected by the condition. Symptoms, which include heavy snoring and rest-lessness, can be worse in those who sleep on their backs, take sleeping tablets or drink alcohol before sleep. But as many as one in four people may have milder forms of the condition and suffer no ill effects.

According to the British Snoring and Sleep Apnoea Association, there are an estimated 15 million snorers in Britain. A loud and persistent snorer can reach up to 90 decibels – about the same volume as a passing train.

Andrew Whitehouse, 49, a retired psychiatrist from Broughton Astley, Leicestershire, suffered from sleep apnoea for four years. His condition caused him to fall asleep anywhere at short notice and meant countless restless nights for his wife. But use of a CPAP mask at night has eliminated the symptoms, he says.

“I felt ill, like I had a hangover and nausea all the time. I also felt depressed and confused which made me irritable and hard to get on with,” Dr Whitehouse said. “It [the mask] felt claustrophobic at first but when I found one that it worked the effects were obvious.” His wife, Amanda, said: “Andrew always snored but it got worse, to the point where his whole body would shake as he tried to breathe and the noise was terrible. When he was diagnosed with sleep apnoea and found the right mask, I immediately noticed a difference. I was able to get a great night’s sleep for the first time in years.”

Michael Polkey, a specialist in sleep and respiratory medicine at the Royal Brompton Hospital, London, said: “Sufferers usually wake feeling that they haven’t had a full night’s sleep and may report difficulty maintaining concentration, poor memory, and excessive daytime sleepiness.” CPAP treatments seemed to work in 70 to 80 per cent of cases, he added.

A quiet night’s sleep

Almost half of people in Britain snore from time to time, and about a quarter are regular snorers

Measures to minimise snoring include sleeping on your side, maintaining a healthy diet and weight, and avoiding alcohol or smoking before bedtime

Keeping nasal passages clear by using adhesive strips or by rubbing eucalyptus or Olbas oil on to your pillowcase may also help. If an allergy is blocking your nose, try antihistamine tablets or a nasal spray

Devices that reposition the jaw, vibrating pillows and sewing a tennis ball into a pyjama top are also claimed to help

Surgery to correct snoring can include procedures to correct structural problems in the nose and the removal of excess tissue in the mouth and throat. However, some people may require several procedures

Sources: NHS Direct; British Snoring and Sleep Apnoea Association

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