Causes Of Snoring

Causes of snoring can be medical or caused by factors over which we have control.

Overeating and lack of exercise can increase the fat around the throat which can cause snoring. Men who have a collar size greater than sixteen and half inches may not have sufficient muscle tone needed to keep the airway open during sleeping, a narrow airway is more likely to vibrate and cause snoring. Being overweight by just a few kilograms can be the cause of your snoring, weight loss should be aimed for through both diet and exercise.

Alcohol causes muscles to relax even more than normal during sleep. The added relaxation that alcohol induces causes the throat to collapse more and so you may snore more loudly than normal. Alcohol can also cause nasal irritation and congestion which increases the airway resistance when breathing. If you snore more when you have had a drink of alcohol the remedy it simple, cut back the amount of alcohol or don't drink any alcohol four hours before you go to bed, this will give your body time to reduce the effects of the alcohol and help you to sleep without snoring.

Other causes of snoring include smoking as this irritates the lining and nasal cavity and throat causing swelling. If the nasal passages become congested with catarrh and mucus it is difficult to breathe through your nose. Even passive smoking can increase the risk of snoring. If you cannot give up smoking, try and not to smoke fours hours before you go to bed as like with alcohol, this will give your body time to reduce the effects of the cigarette smoke.

If you sleep on your back your tongue, chin and any excess fat under your chin will relax back and squash your airway which will make you snore, lying on your side will stop this.

During sleep, humans are designed to breathe through their nose if you have very small nostrils, nasal collapse, congestion or a nasal obstruction any one of these or a combination will increase your risk of snoring.

A 'tongue based snorer' means that the tongue is dropping to the back of the throat and is causing an obstruction. This prevents you from breathing properly, as the air tries to get past the obstruction, your tongue, the air vibrates the tongue which can be a cause of snoring.