Snoring
Check out our video on Snoring on our youtube channel by clicking on the link below
“I don’t snore! How dare you!” is a common refrain in bedrooms across the land as people wake and partners grunt with disdain that their snoring kept them awake again last night. But don’t fear, snoring isn’t bad at all and isn’t caused by anything serious. Embarrassing and funny it can sound, but it’s very common!
Snoring happens when you can’t move air freely through your nose and throat during sleep. This makes the surrounding tissues vibrate, which produces the familiar snoring sound. People who snore often have too much throat and nasal tissues or ‘floppy’ tissue that is more prone to vibrate.
You are more likely to snore however if you are overweight, smoke, drink too much alcohol or sleep on your back.
There are ways you can help relive snoring and below we give you some tips you can incorporate into your routine to help:
DO
Lose weight - Fatty tissue around your neck squeezes the airway and prevents air flowing in and out freely of your body, so losing weight even by a few kilos will help you to stop snoring
Sleep on your side - You might find this irritating, but there are things you can try to stop you from sleeping on your back which is a common cause of snorting. This will help keep you on your side as when sleeping on your back your tongue, chin and any excess fatty tissue under your chin can relax and squash your airway.
Buy ear plugs! - if all else fails, buy your partner some ear plugs if your snoring affects their sleep - they’ll be sure to thank you!
DON’T
Smoke! - Cigarette smoke irritates the lining of your nose and throat causing swelling and catarrh meaning airflow is decreased and you’re more likely to snore
Drink too much alcohol - especially before going to bed as alcohol makes your muscles relax more than usual during a night’s sleep which may encourage the back of your throat to collapse as you breathe which causes snoring
SEE A GP IF…
You make lifestyle choices and they’re not helping…
Your snoring is getting on your partners nerves - sort your snoring or it has been known to lead to relationship break ups!
You feel lethargic in the daytime, or you’re making gasping or choking noises whilst you sleep (ask your long suffering partner again!) you may have sleep apnoea, which can be serious if not treated.
Treatment for snoring depends on the cause - so talk to your doctor about the best treatment for you. Sometimes surgery is needed to treat snoring if other treatments don’t help, but it’s not widely available on the NHS and it doesn’t always work.
Read this useful guide to surgery for snoring on the Snorer.com website, it’s full of useful tips and tricks on surgery for snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea.
If you found this blog useful please share with your snoring friends!
The Coda Team