Snoring: Facts You Need to Know
By Sara Butler
Snoring is a common issue for millions of Americans. Often, it's more bothersome to the people you share a sleeping space with than it is harmful to you, but snoring can be indicative of a serious sleep issue. If you snore or you know someone who does, then here are a few facts you need to know about snoring to determine if it's harmless or if it's something you need to talk to a medical professional about.
The Cause of Snoring
When you're asleep, the muscles in your body relax. That includes the muscles in the throat. This causes your airway to narrow and, as you breathe in and out, your airway vibrates. This vibration is the cause behind the snoring sound you're familiar with. The narrower your airway, the louder your snores, especially if you sleep on your back. If you snore very loudly and it interrupts the sleep of other people, you may want to consider sleeping on your side.
The Contributors
Snoring may be caused by relaxed muscles, but there are other things that can make snoring worse. If you're older, your snoring may be worse because the throat muscles are simply more relaxed in older people. If you have large tonsils or a deviated septum in your nose, that can make snoring worse as well.
You Can Minimize Snoring (And Prevent It)
If you're an occasional snorer, then you can make a few small modifications to your lifestyle to help the issue. Reducing alcohol intake before bed, maintaining a healthy body weight, and sleeping on your side can all help. If you have allergies, then that can make snoring worse too. Treat your allergies so you can breathe easier at night.
Snoring Can Be Serious
Not all snoring is cute and harmless. In fact, some snorers actually stop breathing multiple times over the course of the night due to something called obstructive sleep apnea. If you find that you wake up feeling as if you've hardly rested at all, are tired throughout the day, have been told you stop breathing in your sleep, or you startle yourself awake because of disrupted breathing, then you should talk to a healthcare professional about it. They can have you evaluated for sleep apnea and that could literally save your life.
You don't have to snore alone! If you're worried about your snoring, then talk to the chiropractors at The Joint Chiropractic today.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Lynnwood, Wash.