What are the causes of snoring and can they teach us how to get rid of this common condition?

Snoring is extremely common and many couples know how disruptive it can be for both partners. However, if left unchecked it can even lead to the potentially life threatening condition of sleep apnea. By identifying the main types of snoring (each with their own individual cause) we can go about finding an appropriate cure.

What Makes The Snoring Noise?

The sound of someone snoring occurs when the small tissues at the back of the throat vibrate. This usually happens because the area is constricted and therefore air flows at a higher pressure than normal.

Why does the area become constricted in the first place? Some people are simply born this way but there are also many well known risk factors, the most common of which is being overweight. The more overweight you are then the more fat you put on in the neck region (especially for men) and this contributes to snoring.

What Are The Risk Factors?

As well as being overweight, there are additional risk factors for snoring. The older you get, the more likely you are to store. Alcohol is also a known contributor to snoring, as is smoking.

Types Of Snoring

Most types of snoring share a similar theme of there being a constriction that causes the snoring sound. However, there are still a number of unique differences and they are critical to know if you want to cure your own particular type of snoring.

Some people snore only through the mouth and this can often be fixed with a gum shield that prevents the mouth from opening. Others snore because their tongue rests too far back in the mouth. Again, this can be fixed with a gum shield or other aid. Many people snore because they have a blocked nose that forces them to breathe (and then snore) via the mouth. This can be fixed by opening up the nasal airway e.g. using nasal strips.

General Advice

The first place you should start is with lifestyle factors such as excessive weight, drinking and smoking. Otherwise, you will always be fighting an uphill battle against snoring.

Then try a number of suitable anti-smoking aids. You can even make your own homemade spray using essential oils. These will lubricate the organs at the back of the mouth and prevent them from vibrating. Even if this particular remedy does not work for you, there are many others that you can try.