Can you stop snoring?

Well the answer you won’t want to hear is probably no, but the good news is that you can probably minimise snoring using a number of methods, which may include a lifestyle change, but there can never be guarantees. But some lucky folk, given a whole mix of circumstances, can rid themselves of snoring.

So just what is snoring ….and what causes it?

It’s the noise emitted from vibration caused by obstructive loose skin in your throat and palate. As you breathe out through your mouth this loose skin will impair the flow of air, and thus flap around and create the noise.

The greater the constriction for air to flow out, the bigger the sound. Thus the technical terms ‘heavy’ snoring, or ‘light’ snoring.

Heavy or loud snoring is a major health concern, and is invariably associated with an obstructive sleep apnea problem where there is literally a danger of the snorer not getting enough air (and in turn oxygen) into his or her blood and thereby starving the brain of much needed oxygen. This is when the brain gets lazy and is slow to send signals to the lungs to breathe on. We’ve all heard it: Very quite for a few minutes, then a lurching loud snort as the brain sends the vital signal to breathe now, right now!

If you think you are in this heavy snoring zone, go to the telephone right now and make an urgent appointment with you doctor or sleep clinic. It can be a life-threatening situation, and there are remedies (see CPAP segment this article).

On the other hand if you are a light or mild snorer it is more than likely caused by your being overweight, and as such the fat tissue build up within the airway will constrict airflow both ways. This narrowing of the airway or windpipe means increased obstruction with the airway’s skin and soft palate, and vibration will occur as the exhausted air struggles to pass through. And the older you get, the floppier the skin within the throat, and this can accentuate the problem. Keeping your weight down will help considerably.

And finally there can be genetic issues. Folk with physically shorter necks may fall into this segment, but not automatically. See your doctor and check yourself out.

How to minimise snoring?

Medical treatments for snoring

Natural treatments for snoring