What Are The Causes Of Snoring? Are There Any Snoring Cures?

For those who know they snore, have you ever wondered what the causes of snoring are? Is there a switch that your brain clicks when you go to sleep that makes you snore like a train or sound like the worst thunder storm ever? Let me tell you the basics, as to be well informed helps you fight the battle in finding snoring cures that will work for you.

When we breathe, air passes through the back of the nose and mouth and snoring results from an obstruction in those pathways. The causes of snoring are mainly related to the collapse of part of the air passages where the tongue and upper throat meet the soft palate and uvula (this is the small V-shaped extension of the soft palate that hangs behind and over the tongue at the start of the throat area). If this part of the airway becomes blocked at any point, it will cause vibration each time you breathe in and it is this vibration that produces the glorious sounds of snoring.

There is no single fixed point within the airway from which snoring originates; however, the tongue has more recently been seen as an important muscle in the causes of snoring. Basically, when we sleep muscle tone is more relaxed than when we are awake and we are less able to control the airways from collapsing and produce snoring sounds.

There are several causes of snoring that we can do something about, without the need for potions, pills and implements that can be uncomfortable to use. These causes include over eating, lack of exercise, excessive alcohol, the position in which we sleep, allergies and smoking.

Heavy smoking will cause swelling of the nasal and throat passages and catarrh, so if you cannot stop completely, at least try not to smoke for 4 hours before bed to give your body time to recover. Over eating is perhaps an obvious one to control, as if extra fatty tissue is being added to the throat area (this is more likely in men than women) there is a higher chance that you will snore. In looking for snoring cures, diet alone is not enough, it is time to get out and do a little walking or swimming to help tone your whole body.

Allergies, particularly allergic rhinitis are on the increase and now affect between 10-25% of the population. Rhinitis can lead to congestion in the nasal passages which can be triggered by such things as dust, smoke, pet hair, plants and some cleaners.  Obviously, if you know your triggers avoid them, but you could also try an anti-inflammatory spray to help reduce the symptoms and as a possible snoring cure.

When you consume alcohol, this leads to a greater relaxation of the muscles in addition to the other undesirable side effects you have probably heard about. I am not here to preach, but please do try to leave it around 4 hours before you go to bed.  When we have been drinking heavily, we are also much more liable to sleep on our backs which many people already know is a recipe for loud snoring.

To conclude, there is no magic switch for snorers. Understand your personal causes of snoring then look for snoring cures to improve all our lives!

How Can I Stop Snoring

Snoring remains a constant problem, but it is far from a ‘silent’ problem for an increasingly large number of people. In fact 40% of the population is affected and male sufferers outnumber women by 4 to 1. So, if you are reading this you have probably asked yourself, “how can I stop snoring”? For a long time snoring was often something that was treated as a joke – thankfully, now it is taken more seriously. With reports of some snores reaching 92 decibels (louder than that pneumatic drill!), it not only has the potential to break-up relationships but can also be a sign of a more sinister disease. So what are the options you can consider to help alleviate your snoring problem?

How can I stop snoring by changing your diet?

Sorry, but there are no known foods that have been statistically proven to alleviate snoring and excessive eating and a lack of exercise are known to cause snoring. However, there are some things you can avoid. For example, dairy products can increase the mucus levels and excessive alcohol is a well-known problem as it can lead to a greater relaxation of the trachea, as may the use of sleeping pills. Smoking can also be a problem as it can lead to congestion and drinking caffeine to respiratory problems.

How can I stop snoring by using specific exercises?

There are several exercises that can be performed over a period of time can help lessen a snoring problem. These exercises tend to rely on increasing the oxygen levels and strengthening specific muscles. Successes have been claimed within as short a period as seven days.

How can I stop snoring by using off-the-shelf fixes?

There are several claims that off-the-shelf products will work and perhaps they do – but only for some. There is no proof that a single item will work effectively for everybody. Some of these fixes involve gum shields that alter the space at the back of the throat by pushing the jaw forward slightly or others that keep the mouth open. There are also products that involve strips or a clip on the nose that keep the passages clear and sprays that help stop the palate vibrate.

It is important to find out what type of snorer you are before spending your money on anything. For example, you may be a “tongue based snorer” where your tongue slips back and obstructs the airway or perhaps a mouth breather where the air being sucked in can create a lot of vibration. Perhaps the latter is because you have a more physical abnormality in the nasal passages or small nostrils that force you to breath through the mouth.

It is hoped the above has given you some ideas to explore in your search for a stop snoring remedy, now you have come to accept that snoring is a real problem but that there are several possible solutions. Do your research thoroughly and if in any doubt consult your physician for advice.

Stop Snoring Surgery

How Can I Stop Snoring Using Surgery?

There are approximately nine different types of surgery available and as you probably know, surgery is likely to be expensive, often a last resort and doesn’t always work. The four main surgeries are uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, laser-assisted uvuloplatoplasty, palatal stiffening operations and radio-frequency ablation.

As these surgeries may suggest by the nature of their names, you should first be sure that your snoring is as a result of the soft palate rather than any other cause. Surgery usually involves reducing the amount of the soft palate or removing the tonsils or both. It may also involve the removal of the uvula (the small piece of soft tissue that can be seen dangling down from the soft palate at the back of the tongue).