Everyone knows what snoring is – that loud, irritating noise that keeps you awake all night desperately wishing for a cure. Most people don’t know what causes it, however, and that can often be the key to figuring out which of the most popular snoring cures will work for your obnoxious sleeping partner.
Snoring is caused by obstruction to the airways during sleep. Without proper room for air to flow through freely, tissues vibrate against one another to produce that characteristic noise. What causes the airways to be obstructed, however, can differ from one person to the next. Some people have only one cause, while others may have several.
Using alcohol or sleeping pills can sometimes contribute to snoring. These drugs cause relaxation of muscle tissues, which unfortunately can include tissues in the neck. When these tissues are overly relaxed they will collapse inward and snoring will be the result. If you sleep on your back, your tongue may even slide backward on top of your airway and block it.
Obesity is another common cause. Depending upon how an individual carries their weight, they may not even need to be clinically obese for their weight to cause snoring. If there are excess fatty tissues in the neck area this can be enough to make a person snore.
Smoking is another common cause of snoring. Since smoking inflames the tissues of the throat, it is no wonder a smoker’s airways can become blocked and result in snoring during sleep. Since quitting smoking can be beneficial for many other health reasons, quitting would be a good idea. You will be healthier and your sleeping partner or family will be much happier as well.
Sometimes sleeping posture is the problem. Sleeping on your back can cause you to snore, and tucking your chin toward your chest may also obstruct airways. If this is the primary cause of snoring, training yourself to sleep in a different position may be all you need to cure your snoring.
All causes of snoring have to do with improper breathing during sleep, so many of the snoring cures that help to open airways may be effective for you. Usually it is just a matter of trying a few to find the right one for your anatomy and particular situation.