Snoring is a common problem among adults. In fact, according to the National Sleep Foundation, snoring affects more than 90 million Americans. Everyone would agree that snoring is annoying. The raspy, rattling sound so characteristic of snoring is maddening to anyone within ear-shot. But snoring is more than that. It can disturb your sleep and adversely affect your health. It is little wonder that so many people seek effective snoring remedies.

What happens when we snore?
Snoring essentially happens because a narrowing of our airways takes place when we go to sleep. Like the rest of our body, the muscles and soft tissues of the mouth and throat relax during sleep. As this relaxation progresses, an obstruction can occur. The back of the mouth can collapse. The narrowed airway restricts airflow and causes the uvula and soft palate to vibrate. It is the vibration of these tissues that is usually heard as snoring. As the airway progressively narrows, vibrations increase and snoring becomes louder. In the worst case, the airway collapses completely and breathing ceases. This is a dangerous condition known as sleep apnea.

The amount and severity of snoring experienced can be influenced by a number of factors. When nasal passages are blocked as a result of infections or allergies, the likelihood of snoring increases. As we age, snoring becomes more pronounced. This is probably due to a loss of muscle tone in the throat. in children enlarged tonsils can contribute to snoring.

The effects of snoring
As noted, snoring can be a lot more than just annoying. Severe, loud snoring has been correlated with an increased likelihood of stroke and heart attack. Even if the snoring is not so extreme, it is a condition that can have an adverse effect on you and on your bed-partner. It can cause you, or your bed-partner, to awaken multiple times during the night. The obvious effect of fitful sleep is fatigue. The resulting fatigue can lead to irritability and strained relations, especially with a bed-partner. The fatigue can make it difficult to function efficiently during the day. For example, it may difficult to concentrate at work. Unlike sleep apnea, snoring is not always considered a medical issue. Hence, health insurance may not cover its treatment. Fortunately, in most cases, there are snoring remedies available that do not require medical intervention.

Non-medical remedies
Lifestyle changes are at the heart of many snoring remedies. Probably the simplest remedy to try involves a change of sleep position. Experts say to sleep on your side, not on your back. Back sleeping increases the likelihood of the airway collapsing. Other steps that can be taken include avoiding alcohol before bedtime. Alcohol effects the part of the brain that controls breathing. Experts also suggest that people who snore should try to lose weight. Fat in the neck can contribute to a restriction of the airway.