What Causes Snoring? You Probably Didn't Think of This

If you live with a snorer, then you’re probably tired. If you’re a snorer yourself, then you’re probably tired. When it comes to snoring, nobody wins. Maybe you’ve tried every gadget, device, and contraption you can find to kick it to the curb — to no avail. Want a better solution? Address snoring at its root cause. In this article, we’re going to talk about what causes snoring — because there’s one huge culprit that we’re willing to bet you haven’t thought of yet!

 

What Causes Snoring? 3 Factors to Consider

 

Treat the cause, not the symptoms. And snoring is, believe it or not, a symptom! Here’s what might be causing your (or your bedmate’s) snoring.

 

1. The Anatomy of the Mouth

 

Interestingly, the way your mouth is built might be the cause of your snoring. In particular, look for these anatomical features:

 

• An elongated uvula, which can get in the way of airflow and increase the vibrations in the mouth.
• A low and thick soft palate, which can make your airway narrower.
• If you’re overweight, extra tissue near the back of the throat, which can also narrow the airway.

 

2.  Drinking Alcohol Before Bed

 

While some people drink to relax, it’s actually having the opposite effect on your sleep quality. Yes, drinking alcohol before bed can cause snoring! This is because it relaxes the tissues and muscles in the back of the throat. So, the airways might become narrower, and that can lead to snoring.

 

 

 

3. Surprise! Air Quality

 

Does air quality affect snoring?! Yes! This is the cause of snoring that catches most people off-guard, and if you want to understand how to deal with snoring, this is important. So, we’re going to spend a little more time here.

 

It turns out that certain types of airborne particles can increase the likelihood of snoring. This is because certain pollutants can irritate the airway, causing it to swell up a little bit. This restricts breathing and can thus cause snoring.

 

Furthermore, air pollution can act on your central nervous system (CNS) and impact the parts that play a role in breathing and sleep.

 

It’s a similar experience if you have seasonal allergies. These symptoms can lead to irritated and dry airways and inflammation, which causes the anatomy of the throat to vibrate, and boom — you’re snoring all night and wake up feeling exhausted.

 

What does science say? Well, research has indeed found that environmental air quality can contribute to habitual snoring in childhood. More specifically, snoring can be more prevalent for individuals exposed to home dampness and air pollution. Additionally, air pollutants like O3 and SO2 might be especially problematic.

 

While you can’t really control outdoor air pollution, you can control the air quality inside your home. Keep reading!

 

How to Deal with Snoring (Safely and Naturally)

 

Based on some of the most common causes of snoring, what can you do to alleviate (and potentially eliminate) it?

 

 

 

Well, if you’re drinking excessively before bed, you probably know what we’re going to say: Stop! Try cutting back on how many drinks you consume, and also cut off alcohol earlier in the night. Stopping snoring might be as simple as this.

 

If your mouth anatomy or jaw placement is causing your snoring, there are wearable devices you can buy online that might help, like mouthpieces and chin straps.

 

But what about the air quality? Tackling this might seem a lot more nebulous, and… it’s everywhere. How could you possibly get a grip on that?

 

How to Improve Air Quality to Stop Snoring

 

Now that you know that poor air quality can cause snoring, let’s talk about what you can do about it.

 

• Change and wash your bedsheets — including pillowcases! — weekly. Dust mites love setting up shop here. This can cause allergies, which can cause snoring.
• If you have pets, designate a specific and contained area to de-shed them and do so weekly. Immediately after, vacuum this area.
• On a similar note, vacuum weekly, especially if you have pets (and particularly in high-traffic areas).
• Avoid letting your pets on any furniture that you regularly occupy, like the couch and the bed. (It’s hard, we know!)

 

• Try to take off your shoes as soon as you enter the home. We bring pollutants in on them.
• Wipe your pets’ feet off when they come inside and if possible, their fur, too. They also bring pollutants inside.
• Check for air leaks around all the doors and windows. If you can see light or feel a breeze, they aren’t properly insulated and could be letting pollutants in.
• If there is poor air quality outside, keep the doors and windows closed as much as possible. Try to stay indoors. If you have to go outside, wear a mask.
• Use a high-quality air purifier with a medical-grade HEPA 13 replaceable (not washable) filter.
• Absorb odors, chemicals and gases with an Activated Carbon Filter

 

Fighting Snoring with Technology

 

Snoring isn’t just annoying. It’s something that can get between you and your wellness goals. If you’re snoring, then you’re not getting the quality slumber you need. 

 

Sleep is crucial to your mental and physical health and how you feel each day. Without it, you can experience a cascade of issues ranging from nagging to debilitating.

 

Air pollution confronts us at every turn. But within the walls of your home, you have a voice. Air purification might be all you need to say “goodbye” to snoring and “hello” to restful, nourishing sleep.

 

Sans is here to protect you, with four layers of defense to keep the air you breathe clean and pure. Sleep like a baby — shop now.