You may have been wondering why you snore and what you can do to reduce it.
- Snoring is caused by things such as your tongue, mouth, throat or airways in your nose vibrating as you breathe.
- It happens because these parts of your body relax and narrow when you’re asleep.
You’re more likely to snore if you:
- are overweight
- smoke
- drink too much alcohol
- sleep on your back
Sometimes it’s caused by a condition like sleep apnoea, which is when your airways become temporarily blocked as you sleep.
Simple lifestyle changes can help stop, reduce or cope with snoring:
- try to lose weight if you’re overweight
- sleep on your side
- consider asking your partner to use ear plugs if your snoring affects their sleep
- do not smoke
- do not drink too much alcohol
- sleeping pills can sometimes cause snoring
When to see a GP?
- lifestyle changes aren’t helping
- your snoring is having a big impact on you or your partner’s life
- you feel sleepy during the day, or make gasping or choking noises while you sleep – you may have sleep apnoea, which can be serious if not treated
Treatment for snoring depends on the cause
- Tongue partially blocking the back of your
throat
- a device you wear in your mouth to bring your tongue forward (mandibular advancement device)
- Mouth falling open when you’re asleep
- a chin strap to hold your mouth closed, or a device you wear in your mouth to make you breathe through your nose while you sleep (vestibular shield)
- Blocked or narrow airways in your nose
- special devices (nasal dilators) or strips that hold your nose open while you sleep, or sprays to reduce swelling inside your nose
Source: NHS