Snoring

[alison12]

My snoring varies each day - I thought this might be down to alcohol however I've cut this out and it doesn't seem to have made a difference. what can I do to reduce my snoring?

[lisaartis]

Hi Alison
Thank your for your message.

Snoring is a common problem. When we sleep, our airway narrows. But if our airway narrows too much, fast-travelling air is pulled through it, causing the soft tissue in the back of the throat to become dehydrated and vibrate. This sound is what most people know as snoring.

There are many reasons why somebody might snore. The most common include:
• Age
• Medication
• Pregnancy
• Menopause
• Alcohol
• Smoking
• Being overweight.

A change in lifestyle could greatly reduce your snoring. It's great that you've cut down on alcohol. You could also try regularly exercise and quitting smoking. There are products out there to help but I can't comment on their effectiveness.

If you snore regularly, and it's loud, it's worth getting checked out by the GP for a condition called Obstructive Sleep Apnoea.

Hope that helps.