Snoring epidemic shakes Britain, as sufferers seeking medical help soars 66%

Experts say the rise has been fuelled by Britain's obesity epidemic - and that children are increasingly becoming sufferers.

Hospitals across England admitted 15,691 patients with the disorder sleep apnoea, which is closely related to snoring, during 2006/07 - more than 40 a day. In 1999/2000, the figure was just 9,476.

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Cases have risen by 1,500 in the past 12 months alone, and about 2,500 of last year's admissions - one in six - were children.

Sleep apnoea is a disorder that leads to pauses - known as apnoeas - in breathing among heavy snorers, resulting in tiredness and irritability.

It can be caused by slight deformities which restrict airflow, but is more commonly associated with obesity, alcohol consumption and smoking.

Treatments can include wearing a gumshield or air mask at night.

Marianne Davey, co-founder of the British Snoring and Sleep Apnoea Association, said obesity was the number one sin for sleep apnoea and may be driving the surge in treatments.

She added: "We are becoming more aware of the condition and people are seeking help.

"But, as a nation, we are also becoming more obese.

"If this continues, we'll see an even bigger increase.

"Sleep apnoea in children was previously extremely rare.

"It sometimes develops because of a problem with tonsils and adenoids crowding the airway.

"However, obesity quite possibly has a role to play here too."

Just under one third of children in Britain are currently obese or overweight.