Snoring

Snoring happens when air does not move smoothly through your air passages, making tissue in your mouth, nose and throat vibrate as the air passes through. Snoring is rarely a problem for the person doing it but rather for the family, partners and sometimes neighbors. The flow of air can be blocked because of excess tissue in the nose, mouth and throat, the position you sleep in or because of a health condition.

Snoring can cause sleep apnea. In this situation, the blockage in your airway can cause you to stop breathing for a few seconds. This will cause you to wake up many times during the night. This may lead to tiredness and affect your daily routine.

Causes of Snoring

When sleeping, the muscles in the throat, mouth and nose relax. This makes them more likely to vibrate. Since your muscles are not relaxed when you are awake, you are unlikely to snore when you are awake. Some factors that increase your chances of snoring include:

• Age - as you get older, the throat muscles become weaker and are likely to vibrate,
• Alcohol and medication - Alcohol and sleeping pills relax body muscles. This includes the muscles in your throat, mouth and nose,
• Weight - Extra fat in your neck and throat can cause surrounding tissues to sag, and
• Smoking and allergies - Colds and allergies can block the airflow through the nasal passage. This may encourage you to breathe through the mouth that has more tissue. Smoking can also inflame and partially block the airways.

Other possible reasons for snoring may include an enlarged tonsil, damaged or misshapen nose, a thick soft palate and a long uvula.

Snoring Treatment

Snoring can be very stressful to everyone concerned. Many people do not get their required amount of sleep if they sleep with someone who snores. Many have tried all types of treatments only to find that there is no miracle tour. In the end, one may have to make changes in their lifestyles. This may include:

• Maintaining a healthy weight and diet. Avoid any food that may increase your fat levels.
• Get regular exercise to strengthen your body muscles,
• Avoid drinking alcohol before you go to bed,
• Quit and cut down on smoking, and
• Try sleeping on your side rather than on your back

Recently, nasal strips have been promoted as a possible way to encourage breathing through the nose. Keep your nasal passage clear. This can be done by rubbing a few drops of eucalyptus or olbas oil onto your pillow.

In very serious cases, your doctor may consider surgery in a procedure to correct structural problems in the nose and removal of excess tissue in the mouth and throat.

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