Simple Ways to Cure Snoring
Snoring is a common problem that affects not only the snorer but also the sleeping partners of the snorer. In some cases it may be the person who sleeps with the snorer who suffers more from the problem. It's no wonder then that the seemingly simple problem of snoring can actually have a very negative effect on relationships, both emotionally and physically. However once the cause of snoring has been diagnosed there are a few simple ways to cure snoring.
Possible Causes of Snoring
There are a variety of things that may cause snoring, ranging from the commonplace and easily remedied to causes that are more serious and possibly life threatening. One of the causes is being overweight or out of shape. When a person is overweight the excess weight and fatty tissues around the neck area make the throat smaller, constricting airways and resulting in snoring. Another cause of snoring is a history of smoking, even second hand smoke inhalation can cause snoring. Smoking causes the muscles around the throat to relax and also causes the nasal and lung passages to become congested, increasing the likelihood of snoring at night.
Another cause of smoking is the consumption of alcohol and certain kinds of medication. Alcohol and some medications relax the tongue and throat muscles which can cause breathing difficulties. Breathing difficulty during sleep will lead to snoring so the consumption of alcohol and certain medications at night can cause someone to snore. The most easily determined cause of snoring is a person's sleeping posture. Sleeping on one's back will allow the flesh of the throat to relax and block airways, resulting in snoring.
How to Cure Snoring
It may be surprising to find that the remedies to cure snoring are very simple and there is no need to go out and buy anything to stop snoring. Firstly, losing weight is the first way to cure snoring if you are overweight or not in the best shape. Losing weight will help to reduce fatty tissue around the neck and greatly reduce the problem of snoring if not completely eliminating it. If you smoke and snore, then this is just another incentive to stop smoking. Quitting smoking and reducing your exposure to second hand smoke inhalation will help to cure snoring.
Avoiding alcohol at night as well as certain types of food before you sleep will help to cure snoring. You may want to avoid drinking full fat milk and soy products just before bed as these foods actually prevent mucus from draining properly due to their thickness. The resulting congestion in the throat results in snoring. If you must drink a milky drink before bed switch to a low fat or skim milk. Another thing to avoid before bed are sleeping pills, tranquillizers and antihistamines, all medications that relax the throat muscles and lead to snoring. Although you may be taking these medicines to help you sleep they contribute to poor sleep and the poor sleep of you partner.
Finally to cure snoring, change your sleeping position to improve breathing and circulation in your nasal passages. Sleeping on your back is a very common sleeping position but it contributes to snoring. Changing to a different sleeping position such as on your side may be difficult but it reduces the problem of snoring. Elevating your head by placing rolled up towels underneath your mattress near the headboard to improve sleeping posture can also cure snoring. These simple remedies can improve your sleep and your partner's sleep at no cost.