3 vital health questions you should ask on a first date

‘Do you enjoy travelling?' and ‘do you like scary movies?' are the sort of questions we are told will reveal our compatibility with prospective partners. But to work out whether you and your date could have a long-term future, asking three very different (yet, admittedly unromantic) questions may well prove more effective:

1. What's your collar size?

The Snoreezesurvey, carried out by YouGov, has found that more than 9 out of 10 (93%) women in relationships in the UK say that their partner snores. This means there is a huge chance of any person you date causing a racket when you're trying to nod off. And with 36% of women saying that a potential partner's snoring would put them off, it's something you would want to know about before you get involved with someone new.

Being overweight can increase your risk of being a snorer. If your date's collar size is more than 17 inches, the NHS say it's likely they will snore a lot. While 93% of all women in relationships surveyed said that their partner snored, only 13% of these said that either they or their partner had ever purchased a snoring relief product. This means that your potential new man will probably leave his problem to keep you awake at night.

But what about when snoring is not only an annoyance, but a sign of something much more sinister? This is where the second and third questions come into play.

2. Do you feel sleepy during the day?

Feeling sleepy during the day can be a symptom of many things, but when it is combined with snoring, it could be a sign of an often undiagnosed condition called sleep apnoea.

For those with sleep apnoea, the airway relaxes and narrows as they sleep. This means that oxygen cannot be taken in properly, reducing or even stopping airflow to the lungs. Sufferers have broken sleep as the brain wakes them, often without their knowledge, to reopen the airway. So, as well as their heavy snoring waking their partner, the sufferer doesn't get much sleep either.

When left untreated, sleep apnoea is linked to a number of chronic conditions including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, high blood pressure, and depression. Not only this, but those suffering from sleep apnoea have been known to fall asleep while driving and operating machinery.

3. How fat is your tongue?

The University of Pennsylvania Medical Center have recently found a fat tongue to be a risk factor for sleep apnoea. As well as making the tongue appear larger, increased levels of tongue fat mean that the muscles can no longer position the tongue away from the airway, causing it to be blocked at night.

If left untreated, sleep apnoea is linked to a number of chronic diseases including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, high blood pressure, and depression - not exactly a great selling point for a lifelong partner.

The Snoreeze survey found that only a mere 4% of women in relationships with a snorer said their partner had visited the doctor about their problem, despite it being one of the main signs of sleep apnoea. So, it is no wonder the NHS estimate that up to 85% of cases are undiagnosed.

Snoreeze spokesperson Richard Wiffen said:

"Mild to moderate sleep apnoea and even simple severe snoring can be treated with an oral device that advances the jaw. The FDA cleared Snoreeze Oral Device is worn like a gum-shield and can be customised to fit in just a few minutes. Its adjustable design gently positions the jaw forward to clear the obstructed upper airway - meaning that normal breathing continues all night and snoring is stopped."

So, if your date answers yes to these questions, tell them to forget the flowers and chocolates for the second date and pick up a Snoreeze Oral Device instead.

-Ends-

•        Snoreeze Oral Device - RRP £35.99

Available at Boots, Rowlands Pharmacy and a range of independent pharmacies and health food shops. More information about sleep apnoea and the Snoreeze Oral Device can be found at www.snoreezeoraldevice.com

Notes to editors:

Snoreeze is the flagship brand for Passion For Life Healthcare Ltd. Launched initially as a Throat Spray in 1998, Snoreeze has pioneered the development of the snoring relief market by providing customers with a range of snoring relief products for every type of snorer.

All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2,058 adults, of which 1,068 were women. Fieldwork was undertaken between 15th - 16th October 2014. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults (aged 18+).

For more information/high res images please contact Philippa Harrington at philippa.harrington@passionforlife.com