As you lie in bed listening to the sawing (snoring) of a partner, you may be wondering what could cause these sounds to be made by a person who, when awake, is relatively quiet. He may also be prompted to kick said partner, or at least try to flip him over, which can sometimes temporarily end the snoring. As he reflects on the snoring, he listens very well. If your snoring partner stops breathing for a few seconds, he or she could be experiencing sleep apnea, a pretty dangerous condition. Sleep apnea is a cause for concern and warrants seeing a doctor who specializes in sleep disorders.
If, on the other hand, your snoring partner seems to be breathing regularly, you can consider other possible causes of snoring. People with colds or allergies often have trouble snoring. Congestion in the nose makes it more difficult to breathe and can lead to snorting and strong odors. Many people with chronic allergies are chronic snorers because they deal with long-term congestion.
Also people with allergies can have swelling of the adenoids and tonsils. Some people also have chronic inflammation due to minor chronic infections. When such is the case, removal of the tonsils and adenoids usually ends the snoring.
You might think that a little antihistamine before bed would solve the snoring problems of an allergy sufferer. In fact, the opposite is true. Taking medications like benadryl, and most over-the-counter sleep medications actually make snoring worse. Prescription sleep medications and any sedatives can result in more snoring, and those who consume alcohol before bed are likely to snore loudly. Smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke are also responsible for snoring.
If your partner has gained a little or a lot of weight, the snoring is likely to occur or get worse. The fat and skin tissue of the neck put pressure on the airways, making it difficult to breathe at night. Overweight people sometimes find it helpful to sleep on their side, which reduces direct vertical pressure on the airway. People who sleep on their backs may snore more.
Among the many unattractive aspects of pregnancy is snoring, especially during the last few months. This may be due in part to weight gain and also to increased nasal congestion. Pregnant women are also advised not to sleep on their back during the last few months of pregnancy, as this position may not be good for the fetus.
Some causes of snoring can be addressed surgically. Some people snore due to a deviated septum in the nose. This can prevent normal breathing and lead to snoring or nasal snoring. Other physiological differences may not be easily addressed. For example, men snore more often than women because the air passage in their throats is narrower than women's. A large soft uvula may also be a causative factor.
Some things can help stop some snorers. For those who are overweight, even by just a few pounds, exercise is key and some notice an almost overnight change. Firmer pillows can better stabilize the neck. Some people benefit from nasal strips or throat spray to reduce snoring and side sleeping is definitely recommended as well.
If you sleep alone, you may not know if you have sleep apnea or not. Frequent awakenings during the night may suggest sudden episodes of apnea. If you are tired all the time during the day, even after a full night's sleep, a doctor should investigate this. Especially if you fall asleep during the day, this may indicate sleep apnea, a very serious and life-threatening condition that can be treated by sleep specialists.