Why You Snore and How to Stop
- Author:Edith
- Source:www.xy-global.com
- Release on:2018-02-27
Why It Happens
If you snore, it's because the relaxed tissues in your throat vibrate as the air you breathe in rushes past them. About half of U.S. adults do it from time to time. Things like your weight, your health, and the shape of your mouth can make you more likely to sound like you're sawing logs during the night.
If you snore, it's because the relaxed tissues in your throat vibrate as the air you breathe in rushes past them. About half of U.S. adults do it from time to time. Things like your weight, your health, and the shape of your mouth can make you more likely to sound like you're sawing logs during the night.
How Do I Know If I Snore?
If it’s loud enough to wake your partner, you probably have heard about it. If you don’t believe them or sleep alone and want to know for sure, turn on a voice-activated recorder before you fall sleep.
Stuffy Nose
Anything that stops you from breathing through your nose can make you snore, like if you’re stopped up from a cold, flu, or allergies. Over-the-counter medicines or nasal strips can help open up those airways, but talk to your doctor if you’re stuffed up for weeks at a time.
You Sleep on Your Back
This can make you snore or make it worse. Sleeping on your side is better, and cuddling with your partner -- “spooning” -- gets both of you on your sides. You also could try sleeping with two or three stacked pillows so you’re not flat on your back. If neither of those works, sew a small pocket between the shoulder blades of a shirt that's a little tight. Put a tennis ball in the pocket so it’s uncomfortable when you roll onto your back.
The Shape of Your Nose
If the thin wall between your nostrils didn’t form quite right, one side can be smaller than the other -- that’s called a deviated septum. That can make it harder for you to breathe and make you snore. The same can happen if your nose was hurt in an accident. Talk to your doctor if you think something like this is going on with you -- surgery can sometimes fix it.
The Shape of Your Mouth
If the upper part of your mouth toward your throat -- your soft palate -- is low and thick, it can narrow your airway and make you snore. That also can happen if the small piece of tissue that hangs from your soft palate -- the uvula -- is longer than usual. You may be born with these things, but they can get worse if you’re overweight. Surgery can sometimes help with this, too.
If it’s loud enough to wake your partner, you probably have heard about it. If you don’t believe them or sleep alone and want to know for sure, turn on a voice-activated recorder before you fall sleep.
Stuffy Nose
Anything that stops you from breathing through your nose can make you snore, like if you’re stopped up from a cold, flu, or allergies. Over-the-counter medicines or nasal strips can help open up those airways, but talk to your doctor if you’re stuffed up for weeks at a time.
You Sleep on Your Back
This can make you snore or make it worse. Sleeping on your side is better, and cuddling with your partner -- “spooning” -- gets both of you on your sides. You also could try sleeping with two or three stacked pillows so you’re not flat on your back. If neither of those works, sew a small pocket between the shoulder blades of a shirt that's a little tight. Put a tennis ball in the pocket so it’s uncomfortable when you roll onto your back.
The Shape of Your Nose
If the thin wall between your nostrils didn’t form quite right, one side can be smaller than the other -- that’s called a deviated septum. That can make it harder for you to breathe and make you snore. The same can happen if your nose was hurt in an accident. Talk to your doctor if you think something like this is going on with you -- surgery can sometimes fix it.
The Shape of Your Mouth
If the upper part of your mouth toward your throat -- your soft palate -- is low and thick, it can narrow your airway and make you snore. That also can happen if the small piece of tissue that hangs from your soft palate -- the uvula -- is longer than usual. You may be born with these things, but they can get worse if you’re overweight. Surgery can sometimes help with this, too.