Snoring is caused by collapsed soft tissue which is an obstruction to the free flow of air in nose and mouth area. When a person falls into a deep sleep, the tongue relaxes on the soft tissues, narrows the respiratory hole and when air goes in and out of the hole, it makes the tissues vibrate resulting in snoring. Although not a frequent health topic, snoring is a problem for many, precisely 40% of men and 25% of women.
People who suffer from loud snoring get very little quality sleep and are nervous, anxious, easily irritated, forgetful and suffer from frequent headaches. Doctors recommend eliminating snoring or at least reducing it to a minimum to improve sleep and body operations. Although snoring is harmless, it is good to consult with a doctor to make sure it is not caused by sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a common condition and most people are not even aware they suffer from it. Unlike snoring, sleep apnea can causes changes in blood pressure and is associated with increased risk of myocardial infarction and chronic heart failure.
There are few simple tricks which can stop or at least reduce snoring, but some people may still need a surgery. If you snore, the first thing you need to consider is your weight. People who are obese are more likely to snore as extra kilograms are one of major culprits to snoring. So, change your eating habits and start eating healthy. Also, start exercising regularly. Another thing is to avoid alcohol right before going to bed. If you are at a celebration, stop drinking at least 4 hours before bedtime. Stop smoking. Smoking has been associated with increased snoring. You can also try eating a spoon or two of natural honey before bedtime. This will calm your body and will help you sleep peacefully for at least few hours.
You can also try the new popular products like sprays, anti-snoring strips, pills or you can buy CPAP machine which can easily resolve you snoring problem. Aside from using various gadgets to stop snoring and treat your sleep apnea, try changing your sleeping position. Sleeping on the back is not recommended for people who snore. Sleeping on the right pillow is also an important thing. Most of these methods are effective and have no side effects. If however, none of these can help you stop snoring, maybe you should consider surgery.