Snoring can be a sign of a more serious health problem.
The Mayo Clinic says that snoring is usually the result of relaxed muscles and tissues in the throat and mouth. When the tongue relaxes during sleep, the tissue and soft palate in the mouth begin to droop over the airway. This restricts the flow of air into the lungs and causes the palate to vibrate.
Serious snoring may indicate a condition called sleep apnea. People who experience sleep apnea actually stop breathing during sleep. Consult a doctor to rule out sleep apnea before using home remedies to stop snoring.
Sleep Position
One of the easiest ways to help people stop snoring is to change the sleeping position. The loudest snoring occurs when the sleeper is lying on his back. This position allows the soft tissues of the mouth to cause the airway to become narrow. When the sleeper tries to breathe in, the soft tissues vibrate as the air passes over them.
Turning the sleeper over on one side usually quiets the snoring, because the soft tissues droop to the side to allow more air to pass through. As long as the person who snores remains on his side to sleep, the snoring should not return.
Assistive Devices
One of the most effective methods for treating chronic, loud snoring is a continuous positive airway pressure device (CPAP), according to the Mayo Clinic. A CPAP device consists of a mask that is worn by the sleeper connected by a long hose to an air compressor. The CPAP forces pressurized air to the mask and into the airway of the sleeper. The air pressure helps to keep the airways open when the soft tissues of the mouth relax during sleep. The air pressure can be adjusted to increase or decrease the pressure as needed. A CPAP is a medical device that must be prescribed by a physician. The user should be instructed on its proper usage and maintenance.
Over-the-counter devices that purport to open the airways by applying a strip across the nose may work for some people.
Surgery
Severe snoring can interfere with a partner's sleep, sometimes requiring her to sleep in a separate room. Disrupted sleep can result in a number of health issues, including fatigue and irritability. Sleeping in separate rooms can have a negative effect on intimate relationships as well.
The Mayo Clinic says that surgery is available to correct chronic severe snoring but should be considered only as a last resort. Surgical procedures include removing loose excess throat and mouth tissues or increasing the tension of the soft palate. These procedures will remove the tissue that sags over the airway during sleep. Long-term relief from snoring by surgery has about a 50 percent chance of success.
Tags: during sleep, soft tissues, Mayo Clinic, sleep apnea, Clinic says