Snoring causes sleep deprivation both to the snorer and those around him. This in turn causes daytime drowsiness, irritability, lack of concentration, and, it is thought, significant psychological damage to sufferers.
There are many reasons for snoring, among them throat weakness which causes the throat to close during sleep; fat gathering in and around the throat; blockage in the nasal passage, etc.
There are several snoring appliances you can buy but if it is a persistent problem, it may be wise to seek medical help. Almost all treatments revolve around clearing any blockage in the breathing passage and there are lots of appliances and techniques which may help.
Firstly, have a look at your life style. If you are overweight, this may well be the cause of your snoring as fat pressing on the throat is a common cause. Don’t drink alcohol before you go to bed since this reduces muscle tone and is a common cause of snoring.
Try not to lie on your back. If this is your natural sleeping position, it may need something drastic to make you lie on your side – like taping a tennis ball to the back of your pyjama jacket so that when you try to lie on your back you will be so uncomfortable it will wake you up and you will automatically turn over!
One solution – which sounds rather drastic and is not recommended – is to tape the snorer’s lips together so that he is forced to breathe through his nose. However, if a blockage in his nose is the cause of the problem and his lips are taped together, he will be in desperate trouble! To someone who is trying to sleep with a snoring partner, this may sound very tempting but come the morning there is bound to be big trouble!
There are several types of nasal strips which, in a lot of cases, are found to be very effective. These hold open the nasal passages and allow an increased flow of air and therefore the reduction of noise and even the elimination of it altogether.
The use of antihistamines is sometimes recommended but you should talk to your doctor about this. Antihistamines, as well as making the snorer sleepy, are supposed to open the nasal passages thus reducing the dreadful snorts, grunts, whistles etc.
Of course you can always take singing lessons. Apparently singing helps to strengthen saggy muscles at the back of the throat thus reducing the vibrations which cause snoring.
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