| Snoring is the noise of the soft palate and the loose | | | | likely during a bout of cold, sinusitis or some other |
| tissue in the mouth, nose and throat, like the uvula, | | | | reason for a stuffy nose. The degree of snoring |
| adenoids and/or tonsils, vibrating during sleep. It | | | | ranges from an annoyance to the partner to |
| generally occurs when you sleep on your back and | | | | indicating obstructive sleep apnea. |
| during the inhaling process. | | | | Sleep apnea refers to the condition of repeated |
| As the throat muscles lose their firmness due to age, | | | | short interruptions of breathing between snores. It |
| and relax during sleep, the loose hanging soft tissues | | | | can be dangerous for both adults and children in case |
| cause the air passages to narrow. The obstructing | | | | of severe, prolonged sleep and oxygen deprivation. |
| elements in the throat touch one another, causing | | | | Snoring cannot be stopped at will, and there is not |
| friction and subsequent vibration. The faster the | | | | one simple cure for it. First the physical abnormality |
| force of air and the narrower the air passage, the | | | | causing it needs to be identified before a control can |
| louder and more resonant the snore becomes. | | | | be found. It is most often more disruptive to other |
| Snoring is very common, affecting up to 60% of | | | | people's sleep than the person responsible! |
| males, mostly middle aged, and 40% of females, and | | | | What Can You Do About It Now? |
| is three times more common in obese persons. The | | | | - The use of antihistamines and/or allergy medications |
| latter is considered to be due to an excess amount | | | | to unclog the nasal cavities affected by allergic |
| of fat in the neck. | | | | reactions to pollen, pets or medications. |
| The reason that men are mostly affected may be | | | | - Treat your cold or flu with whatever remedy helps |
| related to the fact that they have an Adam's apple; | | | | to keep the nasal passages as clear as possible during |
| an extra appendage to obstruct their air ducts. | | | | sleep. |
| Although women also have this thyroid cartilage, the | | | | - Reduce your alcohol consumption as alcohol causes |
| testosterone influx during puberty causes it to grow | | | | the throat muscles to relax. |
| much more prominent in men. As their waking voice | | | | - Surgery may be required in the case of adenoids, |
| is more sonorous than women's, so is their snoring. | | | | tonsils, thyroid and other growths. |
| Women, on the other hand, produce the hormone | | | | - Restrict the use of nasal sprays and/or perfumes |
| progesterone, which inhibits snoring, and consequently | | | | which may irritate the air passages. |
| are less likely to snore. Some anti-snoring devices are | | | | - Reduce or stop smoking as tobacco smoke causes |
| known to use progesterone as their basic ingredient. | | | | inflammation in the air passages. |
| Even babies can display a mild form of snoring. This | | | | - Consult your doctor about sedatives and/or |
| should be carefully monitored, however, as it may be | | | | medications that relax your muscles. |
| a sign of obstruction in the baby's respiratory tract. | | | | - Lifestyle changes may be in order if obesity is the |
| Occasional snoring in all genders and ages is more | | | | culprit of your snoring. |