Snoring is more than just an irritating noise that keeps your spouse up at night. The truth is that it can be the sign of something more serious, so it’s important to do what you can to make it stop.
That being said, you may be wondering which of the many potential remedies you’ve heard of are the most effective.
In today’s post, we’ll break down some of the dos and don’ts of dealing with snoring.
Don’t:
- Drink alcohol close to bedtime. Alcohol causes the muscles in the body to relax more than normal. This leads to the throat collapsing more easily, which causes snoring.
- Purchase nasal strips. While nasal strips can certainly make the snoring a little quieter, they don’t actually treat the problem.
- Use fancy pillows. As Dr. M. Safwan Badr, president of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, tells the Huffington Post, there’s no scientific evidence to support the use of fancy pillows.
Do:
- Sleep in a different position. When you lie on your back, you’re putting a lot of pressure on your throat, which can cause you to snore. Consider sleeping on your side instead.
- Try an air purifier. It’s important to keep your nasal passages unblocked. An air purifier eliminates irritants that can exacerbate allergies and worsen snoring.
- Lose weight. A large number of people who snore are overweight. Losing weight can reduce excess tissue in the neck that restricts airways and leads to snoring.
Most importantly, it’s a good idea to schedule an appointment with your doctor if you have a snoring problem. There’s a chance that you could have a highly treatable disorder that can lead to serious consequences when undiagnosed.
