How To Stop Snoring Loudly

The wife says to her husband: "Do you know that snoring causes a lack of sleep? MINE! Snoring, the social evil that effects us in bed. And not just us, if we're sharing a room with someone or a bed for that matter, it's not just about us anymore. After the snorer is hardly aware that he/she snores, it's the bystanders who know. Sure when we were in college no-one complained because your room-mate would put a pillow over your face, but a spouse/girlfriend/boyfriend won't do that. Many will choose to suffer in silence. But snoring is not just bad because of the noise. It has other implications and if your child is snoring a bit too loudly, then its time to do something. An estimated 45% of normal adults snore at least occasionally and 25% do so habitually, according the American Academy of Otolaryngology.

First things first. Why do people snore? In comparison to those who don't the snorer experiences some sort of friction of obstruction that does not close the sir passage from the nostrils to the lungs but does narrow it down. And when we are sleeping we tend to breathe loud and long. The obstruction can be caused by either inflamed muscles, the lack of fluids to push the air through. When we breathe, the soft tissue in the upper palate tends to vibrate and when it does so we snore. Snoring is the sound of air passing forcefully from the nose and throat.

The reasons of snoring are many. Like enlarged tonsils, or the base of your tongue. The uvula may be swollen and may start flapping when you inhale. Snoring can get as loud as 80 decibels. So what to do? Unless a very new and versatile rap form emerges, the snoring is a problem.

Many suggest that snoring is loud or occurs when one sleeps on their back and suggest sleeping on the side. Because when one sleeps on their back, the tongue falls back into the throat and may restrict an otherwise good air passage. Also using a higher and stiffer pillow will also help. When elevate your head, the tongue is less likely to fall back into your throat.

Another thing to pay attention to if you area frequent and loud snorer is definitely body weight. Being overweight means you have bulky throat tissues. That's right; the turkey neck is making you snore.

And of course, quit or reduce drinking and smoking. These things feed the potential of snoring. Avoid eating heavy meals before going to bed or foods which will build up mucus in your throat like moist chocolate cakes. If you can't immediately quit drinking and smoking, (and no one really can) avoid smoking or drinking right before going to bed.

Also there is a phenomenon of snoring called “mouth breathing snorer". This means your air passage and everything else or all ok, you just need to learn to breath through your nose and seeing a doctor in this respect might just eliminate the whole problem. If you are considering using dilators, check if you need one. The British Snoring & Sleep Apnoea Association has a simple test on their website to check if a dilator will help you.

Lastly if your child snores, don't take it lightly, see a doctor immediately because snoring in young children can be an initial sign of asthma.

• Felicia Byrnes
• 27/01/2009, 12:59 AM
• 0 Comments