How many causes of snoring do you know about? With the average person sleeping for approximately 1/3 of their lives, sleep quality play a large role in your life and overall health. Snoring is often regarded as a sign of good sleep, but it can be a sign of a more serious medical condition that could negatively impact your health and cause death in severe cases.

These are 10 lesser-known causes of snoring:

1. 10 Causes of Snoring-Small or collapsing nostrils

If you have nostrils that are on the small side or if your nostrils collapse as you breathe in, air won’t flow freely through your nose, which can result in breathing through the mouth. 

2. 10 Causes of Snoring-Climate

If the air in your bedroom is dry, it can potentially contribute to or cause snoring by drying out your throat and nasal membranes, causing congestion. This leads to restricted air flow which in turn causes your throat tissues to vibrate. 

3. 10 Causes of Snoring-Medications

Medications that relax muscles can make snoring worse. For example, tranquilizers such as lorazepam (Ativan) and diazepam (Valium) can have this effect.

4. 10 Causes of Snoring-Smoking

Men who snore are often advised not to smoke, however, the evidence this will help is weak. Regardless, there are already plenty of other good reasons to quit smoking.

5. 10 Causes of Snoring-Blocked nasal airways

Some people snore only during allergy season or when they have a sinus infection. Problems in your nose such as a deviated septum or nasal polyps can also block your airways and cause snoring.

6. 10 Causes of Snoring-Poor muscle tone in your throat and tongue

Throat and tongue muscles can become too relaxed, allowing them to collapse into your airway.

7. 10 Causes of Snoring-Bulky throat tissue

This is likely due to being overweight. Some children have also been found to have large tonsils and adenoids that make them snore.

8. 10 Causes of Snoring-Large evening meal

When your stomach is very full, your diaphragm has less room to expand and contract.

This explains the shortness of breath people often feel after a particularly heavy meal. If shortness of breath lingers until bedtime, the strained breathing can worsen snoring.

9. 10 Causes of Snoring-Alcohol and drug use

Drinking alcohol or taking muscle relaxers can also make your tongue and throat muscles relax too much, causing them to collapse into your airway.

10. 10 Causes of Snoring-Dehydration

Dehydration makes the opposing surfaces of your airway more likely to stick together and cause a noisy obstruction.

Conclusion

Lifestyle changes, such as losing weight, avoiding alcohol or large meals close to bedtime, or sleeping on your side can help you stop snoring.

Snoring can also be a symptom of more serious health problems, like obstructive sleep apnea. Tap here to download Mintal Tracker APP to monitor your sleep and get better sleep quality.