One of the major health problems for millions of people is snoring.Whether it’s you snoring or your partner you will most likely find that neither one of you is able to get a decent nights sleep!

So what precisely is snoring? It is anything from a gentle noise to a loud unpleasant sound resulting from the soft tissues in the back of the throat vibrating, as your lungs work to draw air through narrowed airways.Snoring may be present the entire time a person sleeps or only in a certain position such as lying on their back.

While snoring is a very prevalent health problem the most severe condition associated with snoring is sleep aponea.Loud, persistant snoring is usually one of the first signs of this disorder.  When a person’s muscles in their throat relax too much closing off the airway while they are sleeping, they will awake, gasping for air.This can occur from 30 to 300 times during the night and each incident can last up to ten seconds or longer.Sleep aponea may also result in other heath issues.  Studies show that during obstructive sleep aponea the oxygen levels in the blood drop  causing stress on the heart which can lead to further problems like a stroke, heart attack, high blood pressure, diabetes and eye disease.Continous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the most widespread way to deal with sleep aponea.  This is a device that helps to keep the airway open during sleep,  however surgery is also another option to think about.

Causes of snoring

If you snore regularly you are probably not getting the best nights sleep possible.It is advisable to find the cause of your snoring to enable you to find a solution to stop it.  Causes of snoring are many and varied but let’s start with a few of the more simple ones that are easier to remedy.

·         High alcohol consumption, especially before bed

·         Smoking

·         Obesity

·         Sleeping on your back

Some causes of snoring are structural like a narrow jaw, enlarged tonsils or adenoids, small passages or a crooked septum.  Nasal problems can also result in snoring because they cause a narrowing of the passages preventing a free flow of air.  Anything from the common cold or flu to allergies or sinusitis can cause problems.

Ways to Stop Snoring

If you are looking for a way to stop snoring you are not alone!Thousands of others are always searching for ways to help their snoring problem.Set about to lead a healthier lifestyle – lose some weight, don’t drink too much alcohol and quit smoking.These things on their own may be the answer to your difficulty.For many people, simply avoiding sleeping on your back will put an end to snoring.Another thing that can be very beneficial is to make sure you have clear nasal passages before going to bed.There are many products on the market which include mouth guards, nasal strips, throat sprays and pillows.  Surgery is also an option but the success of these solutions may be dependant on your reason for snoring so make an appointment to see your doctor first.