Causes, Cures, Remedies And Tips For You and Your Partner
Snoring is an extremely common complaint, and it’s safe to assume that almost everyone snores at some point during their lifetime. Temporary conditions such as sinus infection, extreme fatigue, pregnancy or allergies may cause an individual to suffer from a short-term snoring problem, but this is a transient problem that resolves as soon as the underlying cause has been resolved. For some, however, this nocturnal nuisance is more than a simple fleeting occurrence. Chronic snoring affects a significant portion of the world’s population, with the highest incidence having been documented among men (recorded to be as high as 24% to 50% of males).
Here are some additional statistics that you should know about chronic snoring:
Chronic snoring is caused by a number of contributing factors, so it can be difficult to determine the root cause of one person’s condition. It helps to know the most common causes, though, so that you may eventually find a treatment solution that works for your unique situation.
As you read through the list below, notice that there is a combination of factors that cannot be controlled and those that may be regulated by simple lifestyle changes.
Again, the side effects of snoring will be different according to the underlying cause. They may include any combination of the following:
If your partner has been complaining about your noisy nighttime problem or if you have noticed any of the symptoms that we’ve listed above, you may want to dig a bit deeper into your snoring problem. To begin determining your individual level of risk for chronic snoring, you should first calculate your body mass index. (This can be done quickly and easily with any of the BMI calculators that are available online today). You should then consider your daily habits, including alcohol consumption and whether or not you smoke.
Once you’ve established your personal risk factors, try one or more of the following self-tests for snoring:
Keep your mouth closed during this test. First, use a finger to hold one of your nostrils closed. Inhale and exhale deeply through the open nostril. Listen closely for any whistling and pay close attention to whether or not the nostril collapses. Repeat the test on the other nostril. If either or both of your nostrils appears to be affected, nasal strips may be a great place to start when looking for antisnoring remedies.
If you can make a snoring noise with your mouth open, but not with your mouth closed, your problem is very likely due to the way you breathe while sleeping. The best place to start looking for treatment options would be with chin straps or other devices that will hold your mouth closed while you sleep. This will also help in the long-term development of the healthier habit of breathing through your nose.
Some chronic snoring may be caused by the way that the base of your tongue falls during sleep. To determine whether or not this is the root of your problem, pull your tongue as far forward as possible. If you are unable to make a snoring sound with your tongue in this position, you may be suffering from what is known as “tongue base snoring”.
The number of anti-snoring treatment options available today is almost unfathomable, and they range from something as benign as a nasal dilator strip to surgical procedures as extreme as shortening the palate or restructuring the nose. For the vast majority of chronic snorers, however, the most effective treatment options fall somewhere between these two extremes. Here are a few examples of the snoring remedies that are currently available:
It’s important to understand that chronic snoring may be an indicator of a much bigger medical issue, so if you’ve tried multiple self-help remedies for snoring to no avail, it may be time to speak with a medical professional about the severity of your problem. In most cases of chronic snoring, however, sufferers are able to reach a resolution on their own.