Snoring is often not thought to be a serious health concern, and home remedies may reduce it. If these do not work, medical treatment may be available. Sometimes snoring indicates a more serious health problem. If it becomes disruptive or a person has other symptoms, it is best to see a doctor. During waking hours, the tissues in the throat and upper airway are open, and air enters the lungs easily for most people. During sleep, the soft tissues and tongue relax. This can partially block the airway. If the air coming in and out of the airway meets resistance, vibration can occur, causing snoring.
Factors that can lead to snoring include:
• Smoking
• drinking alcohol
• using depressants or other muscle relaxants
• sleeping on your back
• congestion from a cold or allergy
• a deviated septum or other structural features
• being middle-aged
• being male
• pregnancy
• genetic characteristics that affect the structure of the mouth and throat
According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, around 40% of adult males and 24% of adult females snore regularly. Snoring is more common during middle age, while males aged over 70 years are less likely to snore than younger males. It also suggests that people who snore are more likely to have:
• Obesity
• stress
• low levels of high-density lipoprotein, or “good” cholesterol
These factors all increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. However, experts do not know what exact role snoring plays in these conditions or whether they are a cause or an effect.
Sleep apnea
Snoring is a symptom of sleep apnea. A person who experiences this condition may appear to stop breathing for a while as they sleep, then make choking or gasping sounds.
There are two types:
Obstructive sleep apnea involves a structural blockage. This type of sleep apnea often has links with snoring. Central sleep apnea is due to a problem with the central nervous system that controls breathing. This type of sleep apnea is not associated with snoring.Apart from loud snoring, a person with sleep apnea may also experience:
• Daytime sleepiness
• Insomnia
• morning headaches
Difficulty concentrating or remembering things
Several home remedies may help with snoring.
Avoiding alcohol and sedating medications
Drugs that act as depressants or sedatives aim to relax muscles, which can lead to snoring. Alcohol also acts as a depressant. People should only use prescription or over-the-counter sleep aids under the guidance of a doctor.
• Relieving nasal obstruction
Nasal congestion is often due to inflammation. Medicines and other techniques can help reduce congestion and inflammation.
They include:
• nasal strips
• corticosteroid and moisturizing nasal sprays
• antihistamine
• a room humidifier
• Changing sleep positions
Sleeping position may affect snoring. A person who sleeps on their back can cause their tongue to relax and block the airway.
Alternative sleeping positions and methods to try include:
• sleeping on your side
• raising the head of the bed by a few inches
using an anti-snore pillow to improve neck position. These were snoring problems you might face caused by several sleep disorders. You can book a sleep test to know the severity of your sleep issues.
