What is snoring?
Snoring occurs when one breathes through one’s mouth which causes vibrations in the soft palate and uvula. Generally occurring during sleep, snoring can be experienced by both men and women, the young and the old and even animals. Snoring ranges from being very gentle and soft, to sounding like you have a freight train running through the house! Interestingly the loudness of the snoring can depend on the reason(s) why the person is snoring.
What causes snoring?
When we sleep, the muscles that are not in use, relax and the airways start to narrow. Snoring occurs when the air is pushed through that narrowed airway. The loudness of the snoring will vary depending on the force of the air being pushed through.
Generally speaking, men snore louder than women because their necks are generally larger. It is also believed that a hormone produced by women, known as progesterone, works to prevent or significantly reduce instances of snoring.
Other possible causes of snoring include allergies that clog the airways, and some medications that dry up the nasal cavities,.
In general anything that will clog, irritate, or otherwise block the airway can be a cause of snoring, even things like the common cold, the flu, if you have thicker than usual nasal tissues, some nasal sprays, swollen thyroid gland, tonsillitis, swollen adenoids, a large tongue, obesity, alcohol, and smoking cigarettes. All of these can lead to the occurrence of snoring.
Does snoring affect anyone other than the snorer?
In one word, YES! Snoring will affect everyone in the household. When we snore, we (the snorer) has no idea they are doing so. Everyone around them, however will be perfectly aware of the snoring! In effect, those who live with heavy and loud snorers can suffer from illnesses and conditions that stem from sleep deprivation, including stress and even some forms of depression.
Is there a cure for snoring?
Well, like for many things there is no miracle cure, but there are many different ways that one can help manage snoring and in some cases completely eliminate it.
From herbal and other alternative medications to hypnosis and even surgery, there is a large variety of approaches and snoring solutions you can look at. I have reviewed some of the best ones I have found for you in this website.