Attention all snorers or their partners! Have you ever wondered what the causes of snoring are? Is there a “magic button” that automatically clicks on when you go to sleep and makes you sound like the worst thunder storm ever? We will start with basics, as to be well informed helps you fight the battle in finding snoring cures that can work effectively for any individual.

When we breathe, air passes through the back of the nose and mouth and snoring results from an obstruction in these pathways. The causes of snoring are mainly related to the collapse of part of the air passages where the tongue and upper throat meet the soft palate and uvula (the uvula is the small V- shaped extension of the soft palate that hangs behind and over the tongue at the entrance to the throat). If the airway is blocked at some point, it will cause vibration each time you breathe in and it is this vibration that produces snoring.

There is no single fixed point within the airway from which snoring originates; however, the tongue has more recently been seen as an important contributor in the causes of snoring. When we sleep, muscle tone is more relaxed and therefore we will be less able to stop the airways from collapsing and producing the snoring sounds.

Several causes of snoring exist that we can do something about and without the need for potions, pills and implements that can be uncomfortable to use. These include over eating, lack of exercise, excessive alcohol, the position in which we sleep, smoking and allergies.

Heavy smoking will cause swelling of the nasal and throat passages and catarrh, so if you cannot stop completely, at least try not to smoke for 4 hours before bed to give your body time to recover. Over eating is perhaps an obvious one to control, as if extra fatty tissue is being added to the throat area (this is more likely in men than women) there is a higher chance that you will snore. In looking for snoring cures, diet alone is not enough, it is time to get out and do a little walking or swimming to help tone your whole body.

Several allergies, particularly allergic rhinitis are now on the increase and affect between 10-25% of the population. Rhinitis leads to congestion in the nasal passages which can be triggered by such things as dust, smoke, pet hair and plants. Some cleaners should also be avoided where possible. Obviously, if you know your triggers avoid them, but you could also try an anti-inflammatory spray to help reduce the symptoms and as a possible snoring cure.

When you consume alcohol, this leads to a greater relaxation of the muscles in addition to the other undesirable side effects you have probably heard about. I am not here to preach, but please do try to leave it around 4 hours before you go to bed. When we have been drinking heavily, we are also much more liable to sleep on our backs which many people already know is a recipe for loud snoring.

Basically, there is no magic switch for snorers. Understand your individual causes of snoring are before you look for snoring cures and improve all our lives!