Snoring is an annoying problem, not just for you but for anyone who shares your bed. Here at Matthews Internal Medicine, we occasionally field questions about snoring and why it occurs. Some patients wonder if losing weight can help. If you’re trying to lower your chances of snoring or reduce the severity of it, is a weight management plan the way to go? To figure that out, we need to learn more about the causes of snoring and the real remedies for it.
Causes of Snoring
The primary cause of snoring is the restriction of air moving through your noise and throat as you sleep. The tissues surrounding your throat and noise then begin to vibrate, producing the snoring sound we all know and loathe. A number of factors can exacerbate this problem and result in more noise being made. They include:
Nasal Problems: People with nasal problems are going to snore more and snore louder. A blocked airway or an issue like a stuffy nose can be causes of noisy sleepers. Using some kind of decongestant can help.
Dry Air: Dry air in your bedroom could also be spurring on your snoring. Dryer air can affect the membranes in your nose and throat, causing swelling. This, in turn, can cause snoring problems to crop up or make your current snoring even louder. A humidifier might help.
Sleeping Posture: For some people, snoring is all about how they’re sleeping. Sleeping on your back, for example, can cause the flesh in your throat to get too relaxed. Sleeping a different way can put a stop to snoring.
Your Genes and Gender: Unfortunately, sometimes snoring just happens because of the way you’re built. A narrow throat or cleft palate can cause snoring issues, as can enlarged adenoids and a variety of other medical issues. Men are also more likely to snore than women.
Alcohol, Medications, or Smoking: Certain medications can cause muscle relaxation as you sleep, as can alcohol or tobacco intake. Changing out medications or opting for healthier habits can help with snoring.
Being Overweight: Finally, we see that being overweight can also contribute to snoring. Does that mean that losing weight could be the key to stopping your snoring once and for all? Let’s see.
Will Weight Loss Help with My Snoring Problem?
In some cases, yes. When you’re overweight or out of shape, the extra weight around your neck and throat can result in the presence of “floppier” tissues than normal. The presence of such tissues could be why you are snoring so loudly. Losing weight and getting rid of this excess skin can help, but even just exercise on its own can be a great way to combat snoring. Before you even lose huge amounts of weight, exercise tightens up the muscles and tissues in your body, including ones in the throat. A medical weight management plan could be the key to stopping your snoring, but just remember that there could be other underlying causes as well.
Your Matthews, NC Internists
Whether you’re looking to lose weight to stop snoring or for other health reasons, contact the preventative medicine experts at Matthews Internal Medicine today. We’ll work with you to help you hit your fitness and weight loss goals.