Snoring is noisy breathing while you sleep and is a common condition that can affect anyone, although it happens more often in men and in people who are overweight. It also tends to get worse with age.
Snoring once in a while isn’t usually a serious problem, mostly just a nuisance for your bed partner, but if you’re a long-term snorer, you not only disrupt the sleep patterns of those close to you, you hurt your own sleep quality. It can also be a symptom of a health problem like obstructive sleep apnea which occurs when the muscles in the back of your throat relax too much to allow normal breathing.
There are currently 2,217 people across the UK claiming support through Personal Independence Payment (PIP) for sleep apnea and conditions of the upper respiratory tract, receiving up to £156.90 each week. PIP is paid every four weeks so this amounts to between £97.80 and £627.60 every payment period.
