If you’ve felt an elbow jab you in the middle of the night, the chances are that you’re a snorer. While snoring can be material for jokes, it can be problematic when snoring gets worse. It’s frustrating when you’ve tried everything to get to the bottom of your snoring problem, but it keeps getting worse.
Here are a few reasons why your snoring hasn’t improved and what you can do to address it.
What Causes Snoring
Snoring is when the muscles in your throat block your airway and cause a vibration. The more the airway constricts, the stronger vibrations get, and the louder you snore.
Risk Factors For Snoring
You may think that snoring is a normal part of sleeping. But some things increase your likelihood of developing it.
Risk factors for snoring include:
- Family history
- Alcohol consumption
- Being overweight
- And nasal problems
Watch Your Weight
There could be several factors making your snoring worse. Monitoring your weight is a place to start. If you’re snoring and overweight, changing your diet and staying active can get snoring under control.
Avoid Alcohol
Also, alcohol may be making your snoring worse. Avoid alcohol as much as possible. But, if you have a drink, have it more than 5 hours before bed.
Allergies
If you have allergies, they may be an overlooked cause of your snoring. Dust mites, pollen, pet dander, and other allergens in your home can cause your nasal passages to swell and make you snore.
Adjust Your Sleeping Position
Certain sleeping positions can make you snore. When you sleep on your back, the base of your tongue can drift into your throat and cause you to snore. Changing your sleep position, such as laying on your side, may help you stop snoring.
Complications of Snoring
Snoring can be a mild annoyance, but it can lead to problems if left unchecked. Complications from snoring are daytime drowsiness, difficulty concentrating, and risk of heart conditions. Also, snoring has the possibility of developing into OSA (Obstructive Sleep Apnea).
Sleep apnea from snoring can be dangerous because it can result in:
- Type 2 diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Heart problems
- Memory Loss
- Depression
- And Metabolic Syndrome
But, there are steps you take before snoring becomes serious.
If you’re snoring, why St. Louis Sinus center can help you. Call our sleep team in our St. Louis and Festus offices. Call us today at 314-582-0888 and get the answers you need.
