Snoring can either be normal or caused by something even more complicated and it’s usually related to sleeping conditions that may too risky for our health, so let us work together to learn more about snoring.
So, how to determine the cause of snoring? You can determine the cause of snoring through a sleep study which can be done by talking to your doctor and scheduling an appointment.
Snoring can have different causes but it is usually caused by a sleeping condition called “obstructive sleep apnea”. Sleep apnea can be caused by different factors or conditions.
There is also a chance that your lifestyle alone is the cause behind the snores.
A sleep study exists to help patients struggling with sleep related problems such as snoring. The study will allow health experts to observe your body as you sleep to find out what’s wrong.
They can help find out your condition, tell you what causes it and how you can treat it.
The study is harmless and non-invasive so you can still relax during the process. It can be done at a sleeping center or at your home but it will have its own differences.
Either way, the sleep study will find out exactly what can cause snoring for you, what may worsen it and such.
Though snoring may be normal, it can be a sign of a risky condition which is why it is important to properly diagnose the patient. It is better to be safe than sorry, so go see your doctor right away.
You can also determine the cause of your snoring by learning about possible causes alone. Since there are a few reasons why a person would snore, we will list them for you in the later sections.
That said, what can possibly cause snoring? How do you cure it? Is there a way to prevent it or is there something that can worsen it? There’s still more to know, so read on to keep learning for your health’s sake!
What can cause snoring?
There are plenty of reasons why a person may snore but mainly, it’s when the person is experiencing difficulty in breathing.
When the body is unable to breathe properly, the surrounding tissues may vibrate which causes the sound called snoring.
This can happen because of chronic conditions or natural anatomy formation. It can be because of a narrow throat or such which can be fixed through surgeries.
If not, there are also other reasons why a person will snore. Check out this list to see if it may be applicable to your situation.
- Being overweight
- Body fat can get in the way of the body’s ability to stretch its airways open making it harder to breathe which will cause snoring.
- Airway obstruction
- Anything that can obstruct the airways will make breathing difficult and cause the tissues to vibrate and cause snoring.
- Sleeping position
- Sleeping on your back may cause the tongue to fall back and the muscles to relax which can block the airways.
- Drinking liquor
- Drinking excessive liquor especially before going to sleep will relax the muscles and create difficulty in breathing
- Smoking cigarettes
- Similar to drinking liquor
- Taking medications
- Certain medications can make the body relax as well
- Sleeping exhausted
- Sometimes, going to bed overworked or completely exhausted can cause snoring since the body is too tired to help your breathing stay normal.
- Anatomical build
- Your physical attributes can obstruct your airways and some of this can be hereditary.
- Age
- As we age, our throat will become narrower which is beyond our control. However, proper sleep routine and a healthy, balanced diet can prevent snoring or sleep apnea.
Some of these cannot be prevented, but it’s still important that you know of it.
What worsens snoring?
Now that you already have an idea about what can cause snoring, it will be easier for you to determine the answer for yourself. Now, let me tell you about what worsens it.
- Hypothyroidism
- The condition wherein your body does not produce enough thyroid hormones, which is needed to control how to use energy received from food through metabolism. Bad metabolism can affect heartbeat and breathing.
- Acromegaly
- Opposite of hypothyroidism, acromegaly produces too much growth hormones which can affect your overall health including breathing.
- Obesity
- Can make breathing difficult even while asleep or not moving, resulting in snoring
- Allergies
- There are certain allergies that can worsen sleep apnea or snoring. Allergies that result with difficulty in breathing are the likes.
- Smoking cigarettes
- Excessive smoking can damage your body which may make it harder to function or relax properly, increasing the risk of sleep apnea and snoring.
- Drinking liquor
- Too much liquor and drinking before going to sleep can cause sleep apnea and snore.
- Drug usage
- Sedations or other types of drugs especially when being abused can result in sleep apnea and snoring or worse.
- Being male
- Observations reveal that males tend to have sleep apnea and snore more than females
- Though this factor cannot be avoided, knowing about it will help you understand the reason why you are prone to sleep apnea and snoring because of it.
- Being old
- Observations also revealed that older adults are more prone to sleep apnea and snoring than younger ones due to more complicated health issues that may trigger loud snoring.
When sleep apnea is the cause of snoring
If you suspect that the cause behind your snoring is sleep apnea, then here are other signs that it might be the sleeping condition. Check out these symptoms that may show you have sleep apnea.
- Gasping for air during sleep
- The feeling of drowning without knowing it and suddenly you’re out of air.
- Insomnia
- Having trouble going to sleep because you have breathing problems that you may not notice
- Sudden weight gain or loss
- Sleep apnea can cause our body to lose control of our hormones, causing us to eat less or more
- Hypersomnia
- Having trouble staying awake in the morning because you were unable to sleep well due to your sleep apnea
- Waking up with a headache
- Sleep apnea can disturb your body’s “charging” state. Since you can’t sleep well, your body will use energy for means that can help you breathe which may lead to headaches.
- Waking up with a dry mouth
- With sleep apnea, the person tends to snore and keep their mouth open when gasping for air which leads to a dried up mouth once we awaken.
- Decreased ability to focus
- Sleep apnea can give lack of sleep which will also result in difficulty to focus on anything
- Feeling uncomfortable
- Your lack of energy due to sleep apnea can make you feel uncomfortable and irritable without your knowledge
- Suddenly stop breathing during sleep
- Your housemates should notice this and tell you about it. Sleep apnea can disrupt breathing that may last for up to 10 seconds which is already risky.
How to cure snoring
Once you already know the cause of snoring, the treatment may be different depending on what may be the cause of it. You can check out these treatments that may be the right one for you.
- Nasal Strips
- Nasal strips are one of the earliest tools used to treat conditions like sleep apnea and its symptoms such as snoring. Nowadays, there are newly developed nasal strips that you can try.
- Oral Appliance
- Oral pieces can help with sleep apnea and snoring, they are custom made to make sure it prevents the obstruction in the airways and counter sleep apnea and snoring.
- CPAP Treatment
- The CPAP or “Continuous Positive Airway Pressure” is a commonly used treatment and proven to be effective for sleep apnea patients and helping snoring.
- Lose weight
- Being overweight or obesity can be a cause of snoring. You can potentially get rid of snoring by getting plenty of exercises and maintaining a healthy, balanced diet.
- Stop or avoid smoking too much.
- Excessive smoking can cause or worsen snoring. Reducing your smoke intake per day will also reduce the risk of snoring. If possible, quit smoking to potentially get rid of snoring.
- Avoid excessive alcohol consumption
- Drinking too much alcohol before sleeping can cause and worsen snoring just like smoking.
- Avoid sedatives before going to sleep
- Certain sedatives can cause snoring. Consult a medical expert to determine what type of sedative may be the cause.
- Maintain a proper sleep routine.
- Sometimes, we end up getting exposed to snoring since we simply don’t sleep at the right time. Try to avoid staying up late and sleep early.
- Try to keep a proper sleeping position as well. Try to sleep with your head elevated or sleeping in a recliner chair.
- Don’t overwork yourself all the time.
- Going to sleep exhausted can make us a lot more prone to snoring. It’s important to relax a little bit at first before going to bed to lessen the risk of sleep apnea and snoring.
- Treat chronic allergies
- Some allergies can trigger obstruction in your body’s airways and may cause you to have sleep apnea and cause you to snore. Treat or avoid triggering your allergies to avoid snoring.
Related Questions
Will sleeping elevated stop me from snoring?
Yes, sleeping with your head properly elevated can stop you from snoring since it will help keep your airways open and avoid blocking it when sleeping flat on your back.
Can snoring cause headaches?
Yes, snoring at night can cause morning headaches upon wake. Our body will snore due to difficulty in breathing. Being unable to breathe properly all night will lead to lack of oxygen levels in the brain, leading to headaches.
