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Why Do I Snore & Is It a Health Problem?

Have you ever wondered what causes snoring? If you’re concerned about snoring, you’re not alone. Plenty of people snore for a range of reasons. Below, we’ve provided some of most common causes of snoring, as well as when to be concerned about snoring as a symptom of sleep apnea.

Common Snoring Causes

Do you only snore on occasion? Have you noticed any pattern to when you snore versus when you don’t? For people who snore infrequently, some of the most common causes are:

  • Alcohol consumption before bed
  • Allergies
  • Sinus infection or cold
  • Body position during sleep

All the factors mentioned above are changeable actions or states, and therefore contribute to infrequent snoring. Alcohol relaxes the muscles in your throat, which decreases your body’s ability to defend against airway obstruction while you sleep. Drinking less at night or possibly waiting longer to go to bed after consuming alcohol will help to prevent this from happening, and likely take care of your snoring problem as well. Taking daily allergy medicine or a nasal decongestant before bed can help to open up your sinuses, which may also decrease the likelihood of snoring.

When it comes to your body’s position during sleep, it is true that sleeping on your back makes snoring more likely. However, other factors, both internal and external are also at play. If you have a tendency to shift positions during sleep so that you end up on your back, this may be the cause of your snoring. Consider changing this behavior, as this kind of snoring can lead to more serious health issues, including obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

When Snoring is a Potential Health Problem

While the previously mentioned reasons for snoring are somewhat manageable, there are additional causes for snoring that aren’t necessarily under your control. These include bodily conditions, such as:

  • Obesity
  • Narrow airway
  • Deviated nasal septum
  • Diabetes

When snoring is the result of any of these factors, it is generally indicative of sleep apnea, which is a serious health issue that affects millions of Americans. Fortunately, there are methods of treating OSA. These methods have the combined effect of preventing both snoring and any airway obstruction during sleep.

To learn more about sleep apnea and its treatments, contact My CPAP Club today. We’ll help you sleep soundly — without snoring — once again.