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Snoring can be one of the biggest causes of marital disputes and may indeed be bad for your health, especially if it is caused by sleep apnoea. You can however, get help with your snoring with a variety of products now on the market to reduce snoring and restore peace in the bedroom.

Nose

If the problem is coming from your nose, you can check by closing off one nostril with your fingers, then checking in the mirror, breathe in through the other nostril with your mouth closed. Check both nostrils this way. If the nostril collapses inwards, try propping it open with a clean matchstick or something similar and see if breathing is easier that way.

Nasal dilator

If it is, then the best product for you is a nasal dilator such as the snoring strips you see advertised that go across your nose and hold the nostrils open. If you close your mouth and breathe in and find it difficult, you may have an allergy, perhaps Hay Fever, or to dust. Ask your chemist about a suitable anti-allergy product.

Mouth

Make a snoring noise with your mouth open, then try again with your mouth closed. If you can only make the noise with your mouth open, then chin straps or snore guards will be the best solution for you.

Tongue

Now, trying sticking your tongue out as far as it will go and gripping it with your teeth. Try and make a snoring noise. If the snoring noise is less with your tongue forward, then you need a Mandibular Advancement Device. You may find that your snoring is coming from more than one area , in which case you may need a combination of anti snoring devices.

Sleep apnoea

Obstructive Sleep Apnoea is when you quite literally stop breathing for a few seconds. It is caused by a lack of muscle tone in the upper airway and only happens whilst you are asleep. Sufferers tend to be very loud snorers, often accompanied by gasps or pauses. They complain of daytime sleepiness and may have headaches or be irritable.

Most often , it is the snorer's partner who is first aware of the symptoms. Check with a doctor to confirm if you have Sleep Apnoea or whether you are just someone who snores.

Stop snoring devices and snoring solutions

Often, there is no 'cure' for snoring but many people find that by trying out the different devices and solutions on offer, they can at least reduce the snoring and restore peace and harmony at home. For more information, visit the website for the British Snoring & Sleep Apnoea Association.

Michael J. Fox is a well known actor who has starred in films such as the 'Back to the Future' trilogy and 'Teen Wolf' and has also appeared in many television series, most notably 'Family Ties'. At only 30 years old, he was diagnosed with young onset Parkinson's disease, although he did not disclose this publicly until 1998 when he became an advocate for research into Parkinson's disease. He continues to act, despite his health problems and has written three books.

The Michael J Fox Foundation was set up to fund an aggressive campaign of research to find a cure for Parkinson's disease and to develop new therapies for people living with the disease. Currently, it takes around13 years for the development of a new central nervous system treatment and the Foundation is working tirelessly to try and bring this timescale down. The Foundation funds projects in two main categories, research exploring specific therapeutic approaches and the development of tools and resources to speed up the creation of new treatments for Parkinsons.

Michael J Fox interviews

Michael has spoken out at many interviews about his own battle with the disease and his reasons for setiing up the Foundation in 2000. As well as his books, he has written articles in publications such as the San Francisco Chronicle where he wrote "We're doing everything we can to identify and dismantle roadblocks that stand in the way of research progress. So far we've invested more than $230 million in research to speed new and better treatments for the disease. But we've been aware for years that dollars alone won't solve this problem. In particular, money cannot buy the critical contributions made by clinical trial volunteers."

Parkinson's disease

Michael J Fox suffers from a disease which is a chronic, degenerative neurological disorder. It was first discovered by Dr James Parkinson in England in 1817 and estimates vary as to the number of sufferers, especially as many are misdiagnosed. However, it is thought that about 5 million people are affected. It is usually found in those over 60.

However, patients as young as 18 have been recorded. Most people are familiar with the 'motor' symptoms of Parkinson's such as tremours, difficulty in moving and instability but sufferers also may have mood swings, problems swallowing and unexplained pain. Each patient is different, however and it is difficult for doctors to predict how the disease will develop.

Final word

Michael J Fox has proved to be an inspiration to Parkinson's sufferers over the world. He continues to work, has married and has four children. See the Foundation website for more information and Michael J Fox's full biography.

To receive a disabled badge or 'Blue Badge' as it is known in the UK, there are certain criteria that have to be fulfilled.

Who is entitled to a Blue Badge?

Anyone who is over two years old and is registered blind or is receiving the higher rate of the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance or a War Pensioner's Mobility Supplement will automatically be entitled to the scheme.

Assessment

You will need to undergo an assessment if you have a permanent and substantial disability which means you cannot walk, or makes walking very difficult or if you drive a motor vehicle regularly and have a severe disability in both arms, making it very difficult or impossible to operate parking meters.

Parents can apply for Blue Badges for their children in certain circumstances. Your local authority is responsible for the parking permits scheme and will advise you as to whether you qualify and what examinations you may need to undergo.

How to apply

Contact your local council - it will send you the Blue Badge application form which you must complete and return with two passport sized photographs. An application fee may apply. In England, badges may be applied for online. Most badges are valid for three years. If you lose your badge, if it is stolen or if the holder dies, the local council must be informed immediately.

Using the badge as a driver or passenger

You do not need to be driving the vehicle to use your Blue Badge as the badge is valid in any vehicle in which the holder is travelling but must be displayed clearly.

Where can you use your badge

Disabled badge holders may park on single or double yellow lines for up to three hours, except where there is a ban on loading or unloading, at 'on-street' parking meters and pay-and-display machines for free and for as long as they need to or in designated disabled parking spaces.

Rules may differ in different areas, so make sure you confirm with your local council exactly where you may park with your badge. The scheme does not apply to off-street car parks, private roads and at most airports or in certain areas of London.

Using your disability parking permit in EU countries

The UK has an agreement with most of the EU countries to allow reciprocal use of the Bue Badge scheme. However, it is very important that you check the specific regulations of the country to which you are travelling.

Final word

The Blue Badge scheme is for disabled people only and should not be misused. For more information, check the UK government website.

Rheumaotoid arthritis is an auto-immune disorder which affects the immune system of the body. Although most known for its effect on joints, the disease can cause problems with all types of connective tissues such as the intestines, tendons and even the eyes.

As yet, it is not known what causes the disease, although research is ongoing. It most commonly effects people between the ages of 30 and 50 and is more prevalent in women than men.

Symptoms

Each person is affected differently but the most common symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are pain in joints, usually starting in the hands and feet , accompanied by stiffness which is usually worse in the mornings. A general feeling of being unwell, similar to the onset of the flu and extreme fatigue. The disease tends to progress in stages so you can have bad periods and good periods.

Diagnosis

If you feel that you may be developing rheumatoid arthritis, your first port of call is your general practitioner who will organise blood tests. These may show signs of inflammation and possibly pin-point a substance called rheumatoid factor, although not everyone who has the disease will have a rheumatoid factor.

Your general practitioner will then refer you on to a specialist, called a rheumatologist who will run his or her own tests such as x-rays, further blood tests and possibly an MRI scan. It can be a difficult disease to diagnose in the initial stages. So, do not be down-hearted if it seems to take a long time for a final diagnosis to be decided upon.

Treatment

Once it has been established that you have the disease, there are a range of treatment options available. These may include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, disease modifying drugs known as DMARDS and a relatively new type of treatment called biologics or anti-TNF. New treatements are being constantly researched and produced. Your rheumatologist will decide which is the best treatment for you and you may find yourself taking a cocktail of different drugs.

Outlook

Rheumatoid arthritis is an incurable, painful and possibly disabling disease but with the new range of treatments and much better understanding of the disease and how it works, the prognosis for the patient is substantially better than before. For more information about the disease, visit the Arthritis care website.

The city of Barcelona in Spain has much to offer the visitor from historic monuments to exciting nightlife, from shopping to beaches.The city was the home of the famous Modernist architect Antoni Gaudi whose influence can be seen everywhere you go. Here is a brief guide to the must see parts of Barcelona in Spain.

Barcelona as the city

Arguably, the most impressive city in Spain, Barcelona is certainly the most visited. It appeals to those searching for old architecture and history, with its Old Quarter containing the beautiful Gothic cathedral of Saint Eulalia. It is surrounded by narrow streets with tiny shops and interesting restaurants. It also appeals to those looking for lively culture and nightlife plus everyone in between.

Gaudi's buildings

Antoni Gaudi's buildings, such as Parc Guell, Casa Mila with its ornate chimneys and the Casa Battló are very much on the must see list. His incredible and still unfinished Sagrada Familia Cathedral is also important as it is on which he started work in 1883.

Gaudi spent 43 years of his life working on the cathedral only to die tragically in a tram accident in 1926. His body is laid to rest in the cathedral crypt. Work continues on the cathedral to this day.

Barcelona's views

La Rambla is the main place to be seen in Barcelona. The wide pedestrianised walkway is central to the city, leading down to the sea front and is where you will find all the trendy restaurants plus flower stalls and all kinds of entertainment.

Unfortunately, it is also where you will find gangs of pickpockets working so one needs to be very careful of your personal possessions. At the sea end, you can see the famous monument to Christopher Columbus and cross over to the Maremagnum shopping and entertainment mall, that flows out into the sea.

For shopping, the street you want to visit is Avinguda Diagonal which has all the main designer shops, plus lovely little boutiques and the main L'Illa shopping mall.

Transport facilities

Barcelona has an excellent and easily negotiable transport system with a metro, buses, trams and even a cable car. It connects the Maremagnum with Montjuic mountain where you will find the main art galleries and sporting facilities from the 1992 Olympics.

Hence, If you have a 'bucket list' of places you want to see before you die, make sure that Barcelona in Spain is right near the top.