Snoring is a condition that affects nearly half of Canadians, many of who do it loudly, and on a regular basis. Whether you snore, or you share a bed with someone who does, it can be disruptive to your sleeping patterns.

There are many causes of snoring, and they all result in the same snorting, grunting sounds that can often wake you from a deep sleep. The condition occurs when your throat, tongue and muscles in the roof of the mouth relax while you sleep, which causes your airways to become obstructed.

While men are more prone to snoring than women, the condition affects both genders, as well as people of all ages, even children.

Obstructive sleep apnea: If you, or someone you know, experiences loud, frequent snoring, as well as pauses in breathing, you might have this condition. This is a potentially serious disorder, so it is recommended that you consult your physician. Our clinic also offers sleep apnea tests and solutions.

Age: As we get older, the muscles in our throat and tongue weaken, which can make us more likely to snore while sleeping.

Smoking: Smoking irritates the mucous membranes in the airways, causing them to become inflamed and swollen, which can increase the likelihood of snoring.

Alcohol: Classified as a depressant, alcohol relaxes the throat muscles. Drinking too much, or too soon before bedtime can cause you to snore. Certain medications, such as sleeping pills and sedatives, can have a similar effect.

Body Weight: For overweight people, excess fat tissue in the neck and throat can obstruct airways, which can contribute to snoring.

Allergies: People who suffer from allergies often snore when their condition is aggravated.

Medications: Some medication help the body to relax, causing the throat and tongue muscles to fall into the airway.

There is also a range of anatomical factors that will cause people to snore, such as having a soft palate or tonsils, or a deviated septum.

Occasionally, snoring is simply a nuisance. However, if you think you suffer from sleep apnea, it’s a good idea to seek medical help, as this condition presents numerous health risks, including:

• Heart attack

• Stroke

• Diabetes

With medical assistance and effective sleep apnea solutions, you’ll enjoy better sleep and an increased quality of life.

After sleep apnea and other health issues have been rules out, and depending on your personal circumstances, there are a number of lifestyle changes you could make to reduce snoring and have other positive health benefits:

• Quit smoking

• Lose weight

• Avoid alcohol before bed

You can also try sleeping on your side and using a taller pillow. There are also a number of anti-snoring devices you could try, such as:

• Snore and sleep apnea pillows

• Nasal strips

• Mouthpiece

We offer a range of effective snoring and sleep apnea solutions tailored to each client’s needs, but is our care-for-life service that supports our patient’s from initial testing and learning to monitoring sleep patterns and habits long after adjusting to sleep therapy.