Learn How To Stop Snoring Without Surgery Blog

Over three and a half million people snore. Four out of ten men and up to three out of ten women. Millions of partners and neighbours suffer sleep disturbed nights too.

The noise of snoring is caused by parts of the nose and throat, in particular the soft palate, vibrating as you breath in and out. At night, muscles that help keep your airways open relax and become floppy, the airways narrow, vibrate more, so snoring is more likely.

Alcohol and also sleeping tablets relax these muscles more and being overweight puts pressure on the airways.

A nose blocked by a cold, allergy, nasal polyps, or damaged and crooked from playing rugby for example, means you’re likely to breathe through your mouth making snoring more likely.

Smokers are twice as likely as non-smokers to snore because their airways get inflamed and blocked.

Prods, kicks, and punches from your partner, the threat of divorce, and complaints from the neighbours are all common. You may also be suffering with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA).

In this condition the relaxed throat muscles block the airway briefly hundreds of times each night stopping you breathing and depriving your body of oxygen. Short-term this causes day-time tiredness, irritability, restlessness, and puts you at risk of accidents when driving for example. Long-term it can cause high blood pressure, heart attacks, and strokes. Treatment involves wearing a dental splint and using a continuous positive airways pressure (CPAP) machine whilst you sleep to keep the airways properly ventilated.

One can stop snoring by no late night alcohol and maintaining your ideal weight. Raisinge the head of the bed too. Sleeping on your back makes snoring worse. Keep on your side by sewing a ball into the back of your pyjama top. If you don’t wear pyjamas wedging a pillow under your back creates the same effect.

Clear your nose by humidifying the air in the bedroom, inhaling steam, and rubbing a few drops of eucalyptus or olbas oil onto your pillow-case before going to bed. Antihistamine tablets and / or an anti-inflammatory nasal sprays help. Always check with the pharmacist that they’re suitable for you, especially if you’re taking other medicines.