- Image by Nick Wilkes via Flickr
In addition to limited nasal passages for airflow, there are various conditions that can cause snoring:
1. Sleeping on your back. This forces your tongue to the back of your mouth, where it either vibrates, or forces the uvula to vibrate – or both simultaneously.
2. Using too large a pillow. This can force your head to move too far forward, constricting the throat.
3. Alcohol. Alcohol relaxes the tissues in the back of the throat, causing snoring. This is why alcohol should not be consumed 3-5 hours before bedtime.
4. Sleep medications, cold medicine, or any medication containing sedatives or some antihistamines, can irritate the throat causing snoring.
5. Eating a large meal before bedtime.
6. Smoking. Smoking constricts the passageways, and irritates nasal valves and the throat.
7. Pregnancy. Blood flow is increased in pregnant women, which in turn narrows nasal pasages as the blood vessels swell.
8. Being overweight. This is probably the most problematic cause of snoring. With the extra weight, the face, tongue, neck, and soft palate get loose and flabby also. This condition simply restricts air flow through the nasal passages. Losing weight is always the first recommendation Doctors make for problem snorers or people diagnosed with sleep apnea.
Here’s an article many snorees can relate to – being forced to sleep on the hard couch!
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