If you or your partner snore, there are some simple lifestyle changes you can make to help prevent it from happening. Snoring is often linked to lifestyle, so making a few small changes can have a big impact. Our dentist Welwyn Garden City recommends some tips in the following article.

What is snoring and what causes it?

Snoring is the sound that occurs when air flows past relaxed tissues in your throat, causing them to vibrate. It’s a common problem that affects both men and women, but it’s more prevalent in men. Snoring can be caused by a number of things, including sleeping on your back, which allows your tongue and soft palate to collapse and block your airway.

Alcohol consumption can relax the muscles in your throat and smoking can irritate and inflame the tissues in your throat, these are lifestyle choices which you can change. Of course we all know that having a heavy cold can cause nasal congestion which will also sometimes result in snoring. Less well known is that sometimes allergies can cause the same symptoms. Lastly it pays to look at whether your weight might be making you more prone to snoring.

The health risks of snoring

While snoring may seem like a minor nuisance, it can actually have some serious health consequences. It’s been linked to an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure. If you snore regularly, it’s important to talk to your doctor about possible health risks.

Not to mention the consequences of poor sleep. When you don’t get enough rest, it can take a toll on your mood, energy levels, and overall health, damaging productivity. And if snoring is keeping you or your partner awake at night, it’s time to make some changes.

How to prevent snoring

There are a number of things you can do to prevent snoring, sleeping on your side can help keep your airway open and reduce snoring. Also elevating your head, raising your head with pillows can also help reduce snoring. There are specialist pillows that will lift and discourage rolling in the night, but they are not strictly necessary.

Drinking alcohol before bed is not recommended for a peaceful night, as it can make snoring worse. Another habit you should look to quit is smoking. Smoking can contribute to snoring by irritating the tissues in your throat, nicotine is also a stimulant disrupting deep sleep.

If you know you are overweight then for the good of your overall health it is something you should address. If you lose weight it could have the side effect of earning you a more peaceful night’s sleep.

Treatment for snoring

If self-help measures don’t work, there are a number of treatments that can help reduce or eliminate snoring. Our dentist Welwyn Garden City can create a custom-made mouthpiece that will help keep your airway open during sleep. If you have sleep apnoea, a condition that causes protracted pauses in breathing during sleep, followed by loud snoring, or sudden gasping, you may need to follow this up with your doctor for additional treatment. There can be some serious health consequences, becoming partially dangerous if you are also overweight.

Making a few simple lifestyle changes can help you get a better night’s sleep for you and your nearest and dearest ones, as well as reduce the risk of health problems associated with snoring. If you’re struggling to stop snoring, our dentist Welwyn Garden City can help find the right solution for you. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.