Do you need to stress about your snoring?

If you snore, do you know why? For some, it’s hereditary and a life-long issue tied to sinusitis and allergies, while for others, it only appears when grey hair and backache (aka age) arrives. But what causes snoring?

1. The source of the snore

Snoring starts when the muscles in your throat relax. Since your throat narrows while in the supine position, these floppy, relaxed muscles and the rolled back state of your tongue can cause a symphony of sound.

Your inhalations and exhalations cause the walls of your throat to vibrate, with the air moving past your tongue, causing the tell-tale sound. Over time, the narrowing may become more severe, causing not only a louder snore but also a warning sign of impending danger.

2. When snores get scary

Sleep apnoea is a condition where the throat narrows so much while you sleep that it closes, blocking your air supply for a few seconds. Since our bodies are amazing and we have an in-built survival response, those who suffer from this condition usually wake up to change position and restore the airway. But this is disruptive to getting a decent 8 hours’ sleep, and more severe cases can even require medical intervention.

3. Snoring solutions worth exploring

There are a few characteristics that can make you more susceptible to suffering from snoring. However, some have a quick and painless solution:

● Hypo-allergenic bedroom essentials like pillows and duvet inners can offer relief, especially if the snoring has been caused by sinusitis and allergies. Consider upgrading your soft furnishings and you might tap into a snore-free snooze.
● Weight can play a part in why you snore because of the extra pressure on your lungs when you lie down. Sleeping on your stomach can ease pressure on your lungs, minimise snoring and increase the ability to breathe more deeply while you get some much-needed rest.
● Seek medical advice if you feel tired even after sufficient hours in bed. Sleep apnoea could be interrupting your sleep by waking you multiple times a night when you experience a non-breathing event. This interruption can lead to other health issues like heart disease and high blood pressure so, don’t hesitate to speak to your doctor.

According to The American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine, 24% of women snore compared to 40% of men. Couples, in particular, can go through a “night divorce” where the snorer is sent to another bedroom so that the other can sleep uninterrupted.

Since women are generally lighter sleepers and often woken by the small noises most men sleep through, it is worth looking into one of many interventions available for an immediate solution to the problem. Imagine all your snoring issues solved with a few new pillows or some wax earplugs? You could very well broker world peace, in your home anyway, tonight.