Latest news with #MartinSeeley
Daily Mirror
12-08-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Symptoms as one in three people unaware they have sleep condition
Millions of people are thought to be suffer, without a diagnosis Sleep apnoea is one of the most common sleep disorders, but most of the symptoms will be far more obvious to other people than the actual patient because it only starts happening when the person is asleep. So while around eight million people in the UK are believed to have the condition, around one in three people are undiagnosed according to sleep experts. Sleep apnoea happens when a person's airway is repeatedly blocked while they are sleeping. It can be caused by a variety of issues like the brain not sending proper signals or lying in certain positions but ultimately interrupts your sleep and prevents you from having a restorative night. Some of the most common symptoms include gasping, choking or loud and persistent snoring while you sleep. You might not be able to recognise these symptoms on your own, but other side effects of sleep apnoea can sneak into your waking hours. Senior Sleep Expert at MattressNextDay Martin Seeley said: 'If you find yourself nodding off while watching TV, reading, or even stuck in traffic, it could be a sign of something more. The Epworth Sleepiness Scale is a quick questionnaire that helps you assess just how tired you are in everyday situations and whether it's time to speak to a doctor. 'If you wake up feeling exhausted despite a full night in bed, or your partner notices you snore loudly and stop breathing during the night, seek professional advice. Sleep apnoea isn't just snoring, it's a serious health issue that deserves attention.' The Epworth Sleepiness Scale looks at how sleepy you generally feel while doing everyday activities like reading or talking to someone. Adding up all of your sleepy moments, your final score then reveals if you have normal levels of daytime sleepiness or symptoms of sleep apnoea. If left untreated, sleep apnoea can increase the risk of health problems like high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes. But it can also have a major impact in your normal life by making it harder to focus, causing mood changes that may affect your relationships and increasing your risk of accidents caused by tiredness according to Asthma+Lung UK. But it's not all doom and gloom if you're one of the millions with sleep apnoea. Martin added: 'The good news is that once diagnosed, sleep apnoea is very manageable and many people notice a huge improvement in their energy and quality of life.' In some cases, a series of lifestyle and bedroom changes can help improve your condition. However, people with more severe forms of sleep apnoea may be prescribed with a CPAP machine or a device similar to a mouth guard that they'll need to wear while sleeping. For those with sleep apnoea, Martin recommended sleeping on your side in a cool and dark area that keeps a consistent temperature. He explained: 'Back sleeping can cause your tongue and soft tissues to collapse into your airway, worsening symptoms. Try sleeping on your side instead and use a supportive pillow to maintain that position.' Additionally, alcohol and extra weight around your neck can increase the severity of sleep apnoea symptoms by relaxing the muscles in your throat to the point of collapse and putting extra pressure on your airway. The expert advised maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding drinking alcohol for at least a few hours before heading to bed. Having a good mattress can also make a big difference, as the expert said: 'A medium firm mattress that supports spinal alignment and reduces pressure points may help to improve airflow and reduce disturbances.'
Daily Mirror
09-08-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Sleep expert's warning over 'potentially serious' condition that often goes undiagnosed
It affects millions of people in the UK, and can increase the risk of serious health problems like high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes A sleep specialist reveals that millions of Britons are battling a condition that countless people do not even know they have. Sleep apnoea represents a potentially dangerous sleep disorder where breathing continually ceases and resumes. This serious yet frequently ignored ailment affects approximately eight million individuals across the UK, with a concerning one in three cases remaining undetected. Among the most prevalent warning signs is relentless snoring, typically accompanied by spluttering or suffocation throughout the evening. These respiratory disruptions prevent you from achieving a deep sleep, potentially resulting in perpetual exhaustion. Martin Seeley, chief sleep specialist at MattressNextDay, cautions: "If you find yourself nodding off while watching TV, reading, or even stuck in traffic, it could be a sign of something more. "The Epworth Sleepiness Scale is a quick questionnaire that helps you assess just how tired you are in everyday situations and whether it's time to speak to a doctor." When left without treatment, sleep apnoea may heighten the likelihood of grave health complications including elevated blood pressure, cardiac conditions, and diabetes, whilst potentially impacting psychological wellness too. "The good news is that once diagnosed, sleep apnea is very manageable and many people notice a huge improvement in their energy and quality of life," Martin adds. READ MORE: Cholesterol warning sign that can be found in your toenail To help manage symptoms of sleep apnea at home, Martin shares a few expert approved tips: Sleep on your side 'Back sleeping can cause your tongue and soft tissues to collapse into your airway, worsening symptoms. Try sleeping on your side instead and use a supportive pillow to maintain that position.' Keep your bedroom cool and dark 'Overheating at night can disrupt your sleep quality, especially if you're already prone to breathing difficulties. Aim to keep your room at a steady, cool temperature and reduce light exposure to encourage deeper sleep.' Avoid alcohol before bed 'Alcohol relaxes the muscles in your throat, increasing the likelihood of airway collapse during sleep. If you're prone to sleep apnea or suspect you may have it, it's best to avoid drinking in the hours before bed.' Maintain a healthy weight 'Extra weight, particularly around the neck, can put pressure on your airway and increase the severity of sleep apnea symptoms. Losing just a small amount of weight can sometimes lead to big improvements in sleep quality.' 'The position and support your mattress offers can significantly impact your breathing at night. A medium firm mattress that supports spinal alignment and reduces pressure points may help to improve airflow and reduce disturbances," Seeley. says. 'Most importantly, don't ignore the warning signs. 'If you wake up feeling exhausted despite a full night in bed, or your partner notices you snore loudly and stop breathing during the night, seek professional advice. Sleep apnea isn't just snoring, it's a serious health issue that deserves attention.'
Daily Record
02-08-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Two cities in Scotland named among UK's most ‘sleep-deprived' regions
Amid a 214 percent rise in sleep apnoea and widespread insomnia, researchers have used a sleep deprivation index to rank 332 UK areas by sleep health factors Two Scottish cities have been named two of the UK's most sleep-deprived cities, according to a new report by sleep specialists at MattressNextDay. The study found both cities ranked in the top five for poor sleep, with Glasgow scoring 82.52 out of 100 and Edinburgh close behind at 82.22. The report comes amid a sharp rise in sleep-related health issues, with cases of sleep apnoea having surged by 214 percent over the past decade. Meanwhile, one in three people across the UK are now thought to suffer from insomnia. To determine the most sleepless regions in the country, researchers created a sleep deprivation index, analysing a range of environmental, behavioural and health factors across 332 local authorities. This included NHS data on sleep disorder hospital admissions, the density of nightlife venues, levels of light pollution and household spending on caffeine. In Scotland, both Glasgow and Edinburgh share some of the same sleep-disrupting traits. Glasgow is home to 21 nightlife venues per 100,000 people, while Edinburgh has 27, contributing to higher noise levels and more artificial light exposure during the night. In 2022, both cities also recorded their highest-ever levels of night-time light pollution: 124.49 nW·cm⁻²·sr⁻¹ in Glasgow and 111.88 in Edinburgh. The caffeine culture is another major contributor. Households in Glasgow and Edinburgh combined spent over £59 million on caffeinated products, which can delay the onset of sleep and reduce overall sleep quality. Sleep-related hospital admissions were also concerning, with Glasgow recording 256 patients annually and Edinburgh 215. Martin Seeley, senior sleep expert at MattressNextDay, said: 'A high concentration of nightlife venues and artificial light can significantly impact the sleep of residents. Too much light and noise at night can harm our sleep and exacerbate pre-existing sleep conditions, such as insomnia and sleep apnoea. 'In fact, research has shown residents living close to lively 'night-time economy' streets report significantly more awakenings, poorer self-rated sleep and knock-on health complaints than those in quieter areas. "Not only this, but light pollution is known to disrupt the circadian rhythm by reducing the secretion of melatonin, otherwise known as the 'sleep hormone'.' Outside of Scotland, Nottingham was revealed as the UK's most sleep-deprived city with a score of 90.97. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. The city recorded the highest number of nightlife venues at 28 per 100,000 people, as well as some of the most intense light pollution. Around 129 residents are hospitalised annually due to sleep-related conditions. Two regions in Yorkshire also made the top 10. East Riding of Yorkshire had a relatively low number of nightlife venues but reported a light pollution level of 232.73, one of the highest in the study. North Yorkshire also ranked high due to its caffeine spend of £31.69 million and 253 annual hospital admissions, second only to Leeds in England. In the South West, Bristol and Somerset were among the worst-affected areas. Bristol had 25 nightlife venues per 100,000 residents, while Somerset recorded the brightest single night in the UK study at 394.68 nW·cm⁻²·sr⁻¹, nearly four times brighter than London's most illuminated night. Rank Local Authority Nightlife venues * Household spend on caffeine ** Light pollution *** NHS sleep disorder hospital episodes **** Sleep deprivation score (/100) 1 Nottingham 28 16.17 78 129 90.97 2 Newcastle upon Tyne 23 15.52 307.38 124 87.13 3 Glasgow 21 32.13 124.49 256 82.52 4 Edinburgh 27 26.89 111.88 215 82.22 5 Wigan 10 16.61 38.12 133 72.85 6 East Riding of Yorkshire 5 17.74 232.73 142 71.90 7 Bristol 25 24.11 103.08 192 71.75 8 North Yorkshire 11 31.69 59.64 253 70.15 9 Somerset 7 29.04 394.68 232 69.85 10 York 16 10.59 56.01 Article continues below 85 67.77
Daily Mirror
19-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Sleep expert shares hack that may beat insomnia
Rather than getting into bed, lying down and hoping you'll get the kip you need, you should instead try this If you struggle to sleep and always seem to be Googling how to beat insomnia, a simple night-time change could be what it takes to get you back to having a restful nights sleep again. The advice comes from MattressNextDay sleep expert Martin Seeley. He encourages people to give it a go, explaining that it helps both the mind and body relax. Mr Seeley wants people to try a sleep meditation, explaining: "Unlike regular forms of meditation, which focus on encouraging alertness and awareness throughout the day, sleep meditation looks at preparing your mind and body for rest through physical and mental relaxation techniques, such as guided breathing and other common well-being practices." According to the sleep expert, research shows that "meditation increases the production of both serotonin and melatonin"," two hormones closely linked to sleep. These hormones activate areas of the brain involved in the sleep process. Meditation has also been shown to reduce heart rate, lower blood pressure and alleviate anxiety - factors that help calm the mind and pave the way for a deeper, more restful sleep. All of these benefits contribute to a significantly better night's rest. Try the 4-7-8 breathing technique Begin by placing your tongue on the roof of your mouth Inhale through your nose for four seconds Hold the breath for seven seconds Exhale through your mouth for eight seconds as if you're blowing out a candle Continue for as long as you feel comfortable and let the calming effect of this breathing pattern help you relax, he further suggests. 'Train your mind' Another technique for meditation to get to sleep is about "training your mind to take your body to another level". To start with, picture a ball of warm, pure, energised light hovering above your forehead From here, focus on how pleasant, regenerative, and restorative it feels. Give yourself plenty of time to embrace this sensation and allow it to thrive Imagine this pulsating ball of light becoming a liquid and travelling slowly down from your head and spreading over the entirety of your body, engulfing you in its warmth Hold these thoughts for as long as you can, allowing yourself the time and mental space needed to absorb how the sensation makes you feel, before slowly releasing it. What time should I meditate before bed? The sleep expert said that "the perfect time for meditation is a subjective matter, and you might, for example, find that you benefit more from this sort of activity by doing it right after you get in from work." If you're someone who is busy and may not get a chance to do much before they lie down for the night, then it could be best doing this as you go to bed, he suggests.
The Irish Sun
10-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Irish Sun
I tried a buy that promises to keep bedding spotless when you fake tan – I was boiling but my sheets stayed pristine
AS much as I love the look of fresh white bedding, you'll never see me buying it - because as a dedicated fake tan lover, that's simply not an option. While Advertisement 5 As someone who fake tans religiously, I know how annoying it can be to constantly ruin your bedding Credit: supplied/kate kulniece 5 I tested out a viral 'sleeping bag' that promises to keep your sheets pristine Credit: supplied/kate kulniece 5 Scroll down to see whether this comfortable bag is worth the hype Credit: supplied/kate kulniece Naturally, I've also come to accept that my bedsheets will be forever ruined - something which millions of tan-loving Brits can relate to. According to data, spring is usually the time pale beauty buffs start to whip out their fake tans to prepare for the sunny season ahead - and Google Trend Data reveals a 9,900 per cent uplift in the term fake tan bedsheets. Martin Seeley, from This colourant helps you see where you've applied the product and ensures even coverage, however, it can transfer onto fabrics and in turn, cause Advertisement read more on beauty While there are plenty of wallet-friendly hacks to banish the stubborn stains - which also include a bizarre 'milk soak' - I'm on the hunt to find the best way to prevent the orange staining in the first place. Numerus retailers and brands have since come up with a solution - special Keen to see whether they work - or will leave me all tangled up - I tried a ''tanning bag'' by Baby pink and extra large for you to spread out in, this fake tan must-have sells for £28.50 - and while it may not be the cheapest solutions out there, it's certainly cheaper than having to constantly replace bedding. Advertisement Most read in Fabulous Exclusive Exclusive Once the bag arrived, it was time to put it to test - will it really spare my poor bedding from looking like it's been dragged through a swamp? After I laid out the overalls-style bag on my bed, I was gobsmacked by the size - I'm a tall 5'9'' girlie and my build is a far cry from that of a ballerina, but the bag was mega even for my standards. I'm a bikini waxer - you're making a fake tan mistake & here's the reason why your privates are kicking up a grim smell Neatly sitting on my bed, the two legs were so huge I was convinced there would be enough space for two people - quite handy if your partner loves tanning too. The sleeping bag also features a special compartment to prevent your pillow from soaking up all the fake tan goodness. Advertisement Freshly fake tanned, I crawled into the sleeping bag - and was instantly amazed by how comfortable it was. One of the biggest bonus was the leg compartment - which made me feel as if I was in my very own cocoon. Fabulous' £10 Fake Tan Test FINDING the perfect fake tan isn't easy. That's why Fabulous tested a number of fake tans which cost less than £10.. *If you click on a link in this boxout we will earn affiliate revenue Superdrug Solait Self Tan Mousse Medium - £4.79 (was £5.99) - Buy Now Tester: Abby Wilson, Senior Fabulous Digital Writer Review: "This product give a very natural looking tan and if you wanted something a bit bolder, I'd suggest leaving it on longer or choosing a darker shade. I'm impressed with the results, but now my entire room stinks of the stuff. If you're on a budget and want a tan for last-minute plans, I would say this is one to try. " bBold Dream Mousse Tan in Dark - £9.50 - Buy Now Tester: Josie O'Brien, Senior Fabulous Digital Writer Review: "The first thing that hit me about this tan was the 'juicy watermelon' scent - it's delicious. I was left with a natural bronze hue rather than orange glow. My only qualm is that the tan seemed to stick to my dry patches and accentuated 'strawberry skin' on my legs. I'm still adding this tan to my arsenal though - the smell, colour and texture are dreamy." St Moriz Professional Medium Tanning Mousse - £4.99 - Buy Now Tester: Kate Kulniece, Fabulous Writer Review: "Not only does St. Moriz mousse leave you with a gorgeous bronzed glow, but it also smells fabulous - think Piña Colada on a sunny beach. At first, I was a little bit sceptical cause I'm a gradual fake tan girlie, but this quick developing St. Moriz number may change it all." And if you fear you might feel suffocated or However, whilst the light material is advertised as ''breathable'', I was boiling throughout the night - but that could also be down to the fact it was one of the hottest night's Brits have experienced this summer. Advertisement As I finally managed to fall asleep well past midnight, my bladder woke me up - which is when I realised that nipping to the loo wearing this mega costume would be challenging. Not keen to trip over and break my ankle, I slipped out of the pink sleeping bag - before crawling back inside. So if you're also prone to desperately wanting to pop to the toilet in the middle of the night, this is something worth factoring in. The morning arrived and it was time to step outside my new bedding bestie - and while it did seem quite gimmicky at first, I was pleasantly surprised by how well it had worked. Advertisement My light grey bedsheets looked just as fresh as it did before my fake tan ritual, despite my worries the mousse with seep through the bag. The light pink bag, albeit covered in some inevitable stains, also looked practically untouched - although if it does get dirty, you can wash it at 40C. As someone who marinates in fake tan twice a week and knows just how grim the bedding can look by the end of it, I cannot recommend this fabulous find enough. And it seems, I'm not the only one - the dozens of rave five-star reviews speak for themselves. Advertisement 5 The pink bag, which sells for under £30, came with extra leg room - a bonus I hugely appreciated Credit: supplied/kate kulniece 5 Although I didn't have high hopes, I was amazed at how well this product worked - it's a must for fellow fake tan lovers Credit: supplied/kate kulniece
