Last Updated on October 9, 2022 by theworldofsleepstaff
This is a question we get asked a lot, and it’s one many are still trying to figure out themselves.
In this article, we’re going to share some of the things we’ve learned about snoring in the hopes that it will help someone else out there who is struggling with this issue.
CONTENTS:
- Snoring: The Basics
- How To Tell If You’re Snoring?
- Why Did I Start Snoring: Nine Common Causes
- How Is Snoring Diagnosed?
- What Are The Consequences of Snoring?
- Is It Normal To Start Snoring As You Get Older?
- Is Stress To Blame For My Sudden Snoring?
- Is My Diet To Blame For My Sudden Snoring?
- When Should I Be Worried About Snoring?
- What Can I Do About My Snoring?
- Our Final Thoughts
Snoring: THE Basics
Snoring is the noise made when air passes by relaxed tissues in your throat, producing them to vibrate as you breathe. Snoring can happen when you sleep on your back, side, or stomach.
While snoring is often considered a nuisance, it can also signify a more serious medical condition, such as sleep apnea.
How To Tell If You’re Snoring?
1. Your Partner or Roommate Has Told You
If you share a bed or room with someone, they are likely the first to notice if you start snoring. However, it is worth investigating further if you have never snored before and your partner suddenly complains that you are keeping them up at night.
It is also possible to record yourself sleeping to see if you snore. This can be done with a smartphone beside your bed or a dedicated recording device.
2. You Feel Tired During The Day
If you are snoring, it is likely, that you are not getting a good night’s sleep. This can lead to fatigue during the day. If you find yourself nodding off at work or struggling to keep your eyes open, it could be a sign that you need to see a doctor about your snoring.
Some people also find that their snoring gets worse when they are sleep-deprived. So, if you have been burning the candle at both ends, this could be the reason why your snoring has become more pronounced.
3. Your Bed Partner Elbows You At Night
If your partner routinely elbows you at night to get you to stop snoring, it is a pretty good indicator that you are snoring.
This can be a frustrating experience for both you and your partner. Not only are you disrupting their sleep, but you are also likely to be disturbed yourself when they elbow you awake.
If this is happening regularly, it is time to see a doctor about your snoring.
4. You Have A Morning Headache
If you wake up with a headache, it could be a sign that you are not getting enough oxygen when you sleep. This is because snoring can block your airway, making breathing difficult.
If you regularly wake up with a headache, it is worth seeing a doctor find out if your snoring could be the cause.
5. Your Partner Says You Stop Breathing At Night
If your partner notices that you stop breathing for short periods at night, it could indicate sleep apnea. This is a severe condition that can lead to health problems, so it is essential to see a doctor if this is happening.
Why Did I Start Snoring: niNE coMMoN Causes
Many different factors can contribute to snoring. However, some of the most common causes include:
1. Being Overweight
Extra weight can lead to snoring because it can narrow the airway. Fatty tissue around the neck can also pressure the throat, causing the tissues to vibrate when you breathe.
When you are overweight, more tissue in your throat can vibrate and cause snoring. This is why people who are overweight or obese are more likely to snore.
2. Use Of Alcohol Or Sedatives
Alcohol and sedatives relax the muscles in your throat, which can cause snoring. Therefore, you may be more likely to snore if you regularly drink alcohol or take sedatives.
3. Smoking
Smoking can contribute to snoring because it irritates the tissues in your throat. In addition, smokers are more likely to have chronic nasal congestion, which can also lead to snoring.
4. Nasal Congestion
If your nose is blocked or congested, it can make snoring worse. This is because you are more likely to breathe through your mouth when your nose is congested, which can dry out the tissues in your throat and make them more likely to vibrate.
5. Sleep Position
Sleeping on your back can make snoring worse because it allows the tongue and soft palate to collapse into the back of the throat. This can block the airway and cause snoring. Sleeping on your side may help to prevent this from happening.
6. Getting Older
One is that our throat and nasal passages start to narrow as we age, which can cause snoring. This is why snoring is more common in older adults. In fact, according to Hopkins Medicine, a large percentage of adults snore at least occasionally, at 45%.
With age also comes a greater likelihood of developing conditions that can contribute to snoring, such as obesity and chronic nasal congestion. So, a combination of factors may lead to snoring in older adults.
7. Small Jawbone Or Tongue
Another theory is that snore people may have a smaller than average jawbone or tongue. This can cause the airway to narrow, making it more likely for snoring to occur.
8. Allergies
It’s also been suggested that allergies or other respiratory problems can cause snoring. But, again, these conditions can cause inflammation in the airway, leading to snoring.
9. Genetics
Finally, some experts believe that snoring is simply a matter of genetics. So, for example, if your parents or grandparents snored, you might also be more likely to snore.
So far, there’s no definitive answer as to why people start snoring. Whatever the cause, if you’re a chronic snorer, it’s essential to see a doctor to rule out any underlying medical conditions. You may also want to consider lifestyle changes, such as losing weight or quitting smoking, which can help reduce or eliminate snoring.
How Is Snoring Diagnosed?
If you are concerned that you may be snoring, you should see a doctor. They will ask about your medical history and symptoms. They may also carry out a physical examination.
In some cases, further tests may be needed to rule out other conditions, such as sleep apnea. These tests may include an overnight sleep study or a daytime sleepiness test.
What Are The Consequences of Snoring?
While snoring is often considered a nuisance, it can also signify a more serious medical condition, such as sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea is a sleeping condition in which breathing irregularities or shallow breaths occur during sleep. These gaps might range from a few seconds to a few minutes and happen on a regular basis throughout the night.
Sleep apnea can cause some dangerous health problems, like high blood pressure, heart disease and even stroke. If you think you might have sleep apnea, it is important to see a doctor for diagnosis.
Is It Normal To Start Snoring As You Get Older?
It’s normal to start snoring as you get older. You may have noticed that your partner or friends have started to make fun of you for snoring loudly at night. Or, maybe you’ve started to feel like your sleep is being interrupted by your snoring. If this is the case, don’t worry – you’re not alone.
It is said that almost half of adults snore regularly. As we age, our bodies change, and our sleeping habits often change. These changes can lead to snoring.
Is Stress To Blame For My Sudden Snoring?
There are a lot of things that can cause stress in our lives. From work to family to money troubles, it can seem like there’s always something to worry about. And unfortunately, stress can also physically affect our bodies, causing us to start snoring.
Stress could be to blame if you’ve never been a snorer and suddenly find yourself making those loud, obnoxious noises at night. When stressed, our bodies go into fight-or-flight mode and release a hormone called cortisol. Cortisol can cause the muscles in our throat and airway to relax, leading to snoring.
In addition to causing snoring, stress can also make existing snoring worse. For example, stress can make your snoring louder and more frequent if you’re already a snorer. So if you’re feeling stressed out and notice that your snoring has gotten worse, it’s essential to take steps to reduce your stress levels.
There are various ways to do this, including exercise, relaxation techniques, and counselling. Taking care of yourself is essential for your physical and mental health. And if stress is causing you to snore, reducing your stress levels can help you get a better night’s sleep – and may even help stop your snoring altogether.
Is My Diet To Blame For My Sudden Snoring?
Poor diet is another possible cause of snoring. Eating foods high in fat and calories can lead to weight gain, which can, in turn, cause the tissues in your throat and airway to become obstructed. In addition, eating a lot of dairy products can increase mucus production, which can also lead to snoring.
So if you’ve suddenly started snoring and think poor diet may be to blame, it’s essential to make some changes. A healthy, balanced diet is vital for overall health and can help reduce snoring risk. In addition, avoiding dairy products and high-fat foods can help keep your airway clear and reduce your risk of snoring.
Talk to your doctor or a registered dietitian if you think your diet may be to blame for your snoring. They can help you make changes to your diet that can help reduce your risk of snoring.
When Should I Be Worried About Snoring?
In most cases, snoring is simply an annoyance. However, there are some instances when you should be concerned about your snoring.
If you snore loudly and regularly, it could be a sign of sleep apnea. This is a condition where your breathing is interrupted during sleep, which can lead to serious health problems like high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. If you have sleep apnea, you must see a doctor for diagnosis and treatment.
Another reason to be concerned about snoring is if it’s causing problems in your relationships. If your partner cannot sleep because of your snoring, it’s worth seeking medical help. There are several treatments available that can help reduce or eliminate snoring.
Finally, you should see a doctor if your snoring is accompanied by other symptoms like gasping for air, pauses in breathing, or waking up with a headache. These could be signs of sleep apnea or another serious medical condition.
What Can I Do About My Snoring?
If you’re looking for ways to reduce your snoring, there are a few things you can try.
1. One Option Is To Sleep On Your Side Instead Of Your Back
This can help keep your airway open and reduce snoring. When you sleep on your back, your tongue and soft palate can fall into your throat and block the airway. Sleeping on your side can help prevent this from happening.
There are a few ways to train yourself to sleep on your side. One is to sew a tennis ball into the back of your pyjama top. This will make sleeping on your back uncomfortable and help you roll onto your side naturally.
Another option is to prop yourself up with pillows. This will make it more difficult to roll onto your back during the night.
2. Lose Weight
As we mentioned, being overweight can contribute to snoring. This is because more tissue in the throat can vibrate and cause snoring. Losing even a few pounds can help reduce or eliminate your snoring if you carry extra weight.
3. Natural Remedy
If you’re looking for a natural remedy to help reduce your snoring, you can try a few things. One is to sleep with a humidifier in your bedroom. This will add moisture to the air and can help reduce congestion and snoring.
Another option is to try nasal strips. These strips open up the nasal passages and can help reduce snoring.
Why Did I start Snoring: Our Final Thoughts
It’s not always easy to determine the root of your snoring, but with this information, you can start making small changes that could significantly improve your sleep quality.
If you suspect that your snoring is caused by something more severe than just poor sleeping habits, we recommend talking to your doctor for a diagnosis and treatment plan.