Seven Causes of Snoring You Should Know

People joke about snoring. Some might be kept awake because of a spouse or significant other is snoring. While the jokes could be funny, snoring really isn’t a laughing matter. It could denote a serious problem. However, while laying in bed awake, did you happen to consider what might be causing the snoring? Here are some causes of snoring and what you can do about it. FOR BEST ANTI SNORING DEVICES CLICK HERE When you fall asleep and move from a light sleep to a deep sleep, the muscles in the roof of your mouth (soft palate), tongue and throat relax. The tissues in your throat can relax enough that they partially block your airway and vibrate. The more narrowed your airway, the more forceful the airflow becomes. This causes tissue vibration to increase, which causes your snoring to grow louder. What Makes You Snore? Your mouth anatomy -- Having a low, thick soft palate can narrow your airway. People who are overweight may have extra tissues in the back of their throats that may narrow their airways. Likewise, if the triangular piece of tissue hanging from the soft palate (uvula) is elongated, airflow can be obstructed and vibration increased. Alcohol consumption -- If you are out partying and overindulge in alcohol, you could cause yourself to snore. Alcohol relaxes throat muscles and decreases your natural defenses against airway obstruction. That obstruction will make you snore. This cause of snoring is fixable and temporary. When you stop drinking too much alcohol, it would go away. Nasal problems -- Chronic nasal congestion or a crooked partition between your nostrils (deviated nasal septum) may contribute to your snoring. Congestion in your nasal passages could come from a number of problems that should be evaluated by an ear, nose and throat specialist. Sleep deprivation -- Not getting enough sleep can lead to further throat relaxation. Ironically, you might not be getting enough sleep due to the snoring, which might be causing increased snoring. You should visit a sleep center to determine why you are not getting enough sleep. Sleep position -- Snoring is typically most frequent and loudest when sleeping on the back as gravity's effect on the throat narrows the airway. If you typically sleep on your back, you might want to consider changing positions. However, that isn’t always easy to do. Many people who sleep on their stomachs find it hard to switch to their backs. Therefore, you might not be able to switch from back to side or stomach. Manufacturers make pillows that can help people change their sleeping positions. Obstructive sleep apnea -- Snoring may also be associated with obstructive sleep apnea. In this serious condition, your throat tissues partially or completely block your airway, preventing you from breathing. This condition is serious if left untreated. Allergies -- When you are allergic to pollen or dust mites, you will get congested. This congestion will lead to your snoring. You should get checked out by an allergy specialist. Once you treat the allergy symptoms, you will be able to clear your airway and reduce your snoring.