The Sleep Geek, aka James Wilson, talks about how to cure snoring.
The Conch That Could Cure Snoring? Don’t Blow It Out of Proportion
I’ve just stepped away from a radio interview about new research suggesting that blowing into a conch shell (yes, really) could “cure” sleep apnoea.
Now, before every long-suffering bed partner starts Googling “what is a conch?” and “where can I buy one?”, let’s take a breath. This was a small study of just 30 people, all with moderate sleep apnoea. Results looked promising, but we’re a long way from swapping CPAP machines for seashells on the NHS.
Snoring and sleep apnoea are the bread-and-butter complaints I hear when I run sleep seminars. And over the years, I’ve seen some truly creative “solutions”:
A £60 straw on my desk right now that claims to train your airway.
The didgeridoo, which once had its own round of research hype.
Mouth taping.
Electric shock rings.
Mattress toppers that roll you over in your sleep.
If you snore and wake up feeling wiped out every day, there’s a proven treatment that works for most people, and it’s free. But it’s not glamorous, and it definitely doesn’t come from the beach. It’s called, getting tested for sleep apnoea.
Sleep apnoea is common, underdiagnosed, and potentially life-limiting. We don’t know the exact numbers living undiagnosed, it is at least 1.6 million people, but we know there are plenty of people with the symptoms who never seek help. Two big red flags:
1. You snore.
2. You feel exhausted during the day.
If that’s you, talk to your GP and ask for a referral to a sleep clinic. The NHS has effective, evidence-based treatments. You don’t need to buy a conch, a didgeridoo, or anything that flips you in your sleep.
And if your snoring isn’t caused by sleep apnoea? Good news, there’s still plenty you can try without shelling out (pun intended). For example:
Cut down on alcohol.
Eat well and exercise to lose excess weight.
Avoid sleeping on your back, side-sleepers snore less.
Try an adjustable bed to lift your head slightly.
Rinse your sinuses before bed.
A spoonful of olive oil (anti-inflammatory) might help.
Even a cough sweet for bedtime dryness can work for some.
So, conch shell therapy might be a fun headline, but until the science catches up, stick to proven strategies. The sea might be calling, but for now, give your GP a ring instead.
About the Sleep Geek
James Wilson (AKA The Sleep Geek) is a Sleep Educator & Practitioner and founder of kipmate. He is currently the sleep expert on ITV’s This Morning and has worked with the likes of Zurich, Next, Under Armour and West Ham United helping their people skip better. He offers training and certification for retailers, and a certification scheme for sleep products.
