Are you one of the millions of people in the world who are known to snore? If you are a man, you are at higher risk of snoring than a woman.  It's not enough to know that you snore, it is important to know what is causing it so that the appropriate treatment can be prescribed.  There are treatments available that are designed to relieve the snorer, and their significant other of the sleep disturbing noise of snoring.

Causes of snoring:

That sound you hear is someone struggling to breathe.  During sleep, the structures of the mouth and throat tend to relax and partially block the airway, or trachea.  As the inhaled air rushes in through the narrowed airway, it vibrates against the relaxed excess tissue in the throat producing the noise of snoring.  There are other factors involved that cause the airway to become narrowed. These factors include:

Enlarged tonsils and adenoids
Allergies
Age
Nasal polyps
Excess tissue
Gender - More men than women snore
Obesity
Sleeping on your back
Certain medications, such as opiates
Use of alcoholic beverages
Loss of tone of surrounding throat muscles
Long uvula - The tissue that hangs down the back of the throat
Deviated nasal septum - The tissue that separates the nostrils

Signs and Symptoms:

People who snore are not getting a good night's rest.  After spending the night trying to breathe while sleeping, the signs and symptoms will manifest during the next day.  Symptoms include:

Irritability
Inability to concentrate
Sleepiness during the day (hypersomnia)
Unable to get to sleep and stay asleep (insomnia)
Lethargy
Headaches
Sore throat
Dry mouth
Memory loss

Snoring also has a relationship with sleep apnea, or the cessation of the breathing rhythm during sleep.  The person awakens possibly hundreds of times during the night to breathe and is not even aware of it.  The next day, they are unable to concentrate at work and may even fall asleep while driving, which can be fatal.  Thankfully, once a person has been properly tested and diagnosed, treatment can be initiated and potential complications are therefore avoided.

Treatment:

Oral devices that reposition the tongue and throat forward to prevent obstruction
Anti snoring pillows
Nasal and throat sprays that act to lubricate and moisturize the tissues to prevent drying
Losing weight
Sleeping on your side or abdomen instead of your back
Elevating the head
Surgical procedures

If you are having a problems with snoring, particularly if it is loud and habitual, contacting your health care provider for testing, diagnosis, and treatment can help you have a better quality of life.  You will be able to sleep better at night and feel more awake during the day.  You will also notice you have more energy because you will finally be getting the proper rest at night.  Your bed partner will appreciate it as well.