Snoring once in a while isn’t usually a serious problem. It’s mostly a nuisance for your bed partner. But if you’re a long-term snorer, you not only disrupt the sleep patterns of those close to you, you hurt your own sleep quality. Snoring can itself be a symptom of a health problem like obstructive sleep apnea.
When should you worry about snoring?
Snoring is often associated with a sleep disorder called obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Not all snorers have OSA, but if snoring is accompanied by any of the following symptoms, it may be an indication to see a doctor for further evaluation for OSA: Witnessed breathing pauses during sleep. Excessive daytime sleepiness.
What is the root cause of snoring?
The root cause of snoring is vibration of the tissues while breathing. Some medications as well as alcohol can lead to enhanced relaxation of muscles during sleep. As the muscles of the palate, tongue, neck, and pharynx relax more, the airway collapses more. This leads to a smaller airway and greater tissue vibration.
Is snoring bad for the heart?
Heavy snoring can sound funny to your sleep partner, but the condition is no joke. Snoring is often the sign of a condition called obstructive sleep apnea, which raises the risk for diabetes, obesity, hypertension, stroke, heart attack and other cardiovascular problems.
Do skinny people snore?
Being overweight increases fat around the neck, compressing and narrowing the throat. But thin people do snore too, and many who are overweight do not.
How can I stop my snoring so bad?
- If you’re overweight, lose weight. …
- Sleep on your side. …
- Raise the head of your bed. …
- Nasal strips or an external nasal dilator. …
- Treat nasal congestion or obstruction. …
- Limit or avoid alcohol and sedatives. …
- Quit smoking. …
- Get enough sleep.
How can I stop snoring naturally?
- Lose weight if you are overweight. …
- Sleep on your side. …
- Raise up the head of your bed. …
- Use nasal strips or an external nasal dilator. …
- Treat chronic allergies. …
- Correct structural problems in your nose. …
- Limit or avoid alcohol before bed. …
- Avoid taking sedatives before bed.
Why do I snore now when I never used to?
When you suddenly start snoring, the culprit is usually an obstructed windpipe. Alcohol and some medications, weight and exercise changes, aging, and some oral and jaw issues are the most common causes of sudden snoring. Think jaw misalignment or partially erupted wisdom teeth are causing your snoring?