A Newcastle Hospitals specialist is helping people better understand sleep and snoring in a popular BBC podcast.
Dr Sophie West, Respiratory Consultant and Lead of the Newcastle Regional Sleep Service, features in the latest episodes of What’s Up Docs? – a BBC Sounds podcast hosted by twin doctors Chris and Xand van Tulleken.
The series explores health and wellbeing, with these episodes focusing on sleep and snoring. They answer common questions about what causes snoring, when it can become a problem, and how it can be treated. While snoring is often harmless, for some people it can affect both sleep quality and overall health.
In the podcast, Dr West explains that occasional snoring is common, but more persistent symptoms may be linked to conditions such as obstructive sleep apnoea. This is a condition where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep, which can lead to poor-quality rest and reduced oxygen levels overnight.
Left untreated, this broken sleep can have a significant impact on health and wellbeing. The podcast also highlights that men are more likely to experience problematic snoring, and outlines simple steps that can help, including lifestyle changes such as sleeping position and weight management, as well as medical devices and specialist support where needed.
Listeners also hear about Dr West’s own journey into sleep medicine and the rewards of helping patients improve their quality of life.
Dr Sophie West said: “Snoring is very common, but for some people it can be a sign of an underlying sleep condition that affects their health and overall wellbeing. Through the podcast, we wanted to help people better understand what’s normal, when to seek help, and the simple steps that can make a real difference. Sleep deprivation can have a huge impact on people’s lives and our team in Newcastle supports patients with a range of sleep disorders, helping them to find effective treatments to get a good night’s sleep.”
The podcast highlights the importance of recognising sleep problems early and seeking appropriate advice, offering practical and accessible information for a wide audience. The episodes are available on BBC Sounds:
What’s Up Docs? – Why do you snore? – BBC Sounds
What’s Up Docs? – Doctors’ Notes: Snoring – BBC Sounds
Dr West brings specialist expertise from the Newcastle Regional Sleep Service, a multidisciplinary team that supports patients with a wide range of sleep conditions and can carry out sleep studies where needed. Find out more about the Newcastle Regional Sleep Service here.
