Snoring is the sound which occurs when the soft palate (the back of the roof of the mouth) vibrates when it relaxes during sleep. Although, snoring does no harm in itself other than disturbing the snorer and anyone who shares the room but sometimes, it may lead to a potentially serious sleep disorder like upper respiratory resistance syndrome and obstructive sleep apnea, in which breathing stop periodically during sleep. Snoring can be provoked by conditions that causes swelling in the nasal and throat passages, such as colds, throat or sinus infections, or by lifestyle factors such as drinking alcohol, being overweight, and smoking. In children, it is due to enlarged tonsils and adenoids. Tendency of snoring increases from middle age onward and men snore more than women.
Snoring Symptoms
- Noise during sleep.
- Breaks in breathing during the night.
- Sleepiness during the day.
- Gasping or choking at night.
Home Remedies for Snoring
- Sleep on your side: Sleep on your side by tucking a pillow into your back or sewing a tennis ball into the back of your nightclothes.
- Nasal strip: Use a nasal strip that keeps the nasal passage open. Stick the adhesive strip across the soft part of your nose, just above the nostrils before going to bed. The adhesive pad has bands of plastic embedded in it that tighten and lift the sides of the nose, which help to maintain airflow while sleeping.
- Nasal drop: Instill 3-4 drops of warm brahmi ghee or plain ghee (clarified butter) in each nostril in the morning and before going to bed.
Do’s for Snoring
- Lose weight, if necessary.
- Do regular walking or other exercise which help the obese person to
breathe better. - Go to bed at the same time each night and get adequate of sleep.
Donβts for Snoring
- Donβt use sleeping pills or sedative antihistamines.
- Avoid alcohol; at least do not drink 4-5 hours before going to bed.
- Do not smoke as tobacco smoke irritates the linings of the nose and throat.
See Doctor
- Have pauses in breathing of 10 seconds or more during sleep.
- Feel tired and irritable during the day.
- Snoring is not helped by the above measures.
- Disrupting your sleep or your partnerβs sleep.
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I think another reason for snoring which you didn’t mention clearly is the tongue. If the tongue slightly moves from its position by keeping the mouth open or jaws open it causes significant amount of sound that is snoring
Personally I have that problem of jaws open even I shut my mouth during sleeping. Please advise me
Amazing article..Opening nasal passage did wonders for my husband, who has been suffering from snoring for years..We have also tried Neti pot for the same..Thank you very much for sharing your knowledge..It was very helpful to me..
My little brother snores and he cannot breathe through his nose during the day that worries me because he is 4