We all know people who snore. We have all probably snored at some point in our lives as well and for many people, it is temporary and stops happening when you get better sleep or lose a bit of weight. For some, however, it can be a sign of some very serious health issues.

First of all, it is important to determine the causes of your snoring. Not all snoring needs to be treated medically and often times simply making some lifestyle changes can improve your sleep and prevent snoring.

Other causes of snoring can be much more serious and lead to dangerous health problems. These causes, such as obstructive sleep apnea or enlarged tonsils and adenoids, can cause issues such as high blood pressure, obesity, and an increased risk of heart attack or stroke. It is important to speak to your doctor if your snoring persists for a long period of time and is affecting your life negatively.

Children may snore if they have stuffy noses due to cold or allergies. If that snoring is causing them to stop breathing for short periods of time, however, that is a sign of something much more serious. If you notice that your baby or child is snoring, you should keep an eye on it and contact your doctor. Sleep apnea can cause behaviour issues in school-aged children that are often misdiagnosed as ADHD.

If you or someone in your family is snoring and you have ruled out serious medical causes, there are some changes you can make to stop snoring and get a better night’s sleep.

• Go to bed earlier. Simply being overtired can cause snoring for adults and children. An earlier bedtime can help you get caught up on your sleep and improve your sleep quality
• Avoid alcohol close to bedtime. Alcohol causes the muscles of your throat to relax and blocks the air passage. Not to mention the disruption to your sleep cycle
• Lose weight. There is a direct connection between being overweight and snoring. Sometimes it can be a chicken or the egg situation. Did the snoring cause the weight gain or did the weight cause the snoring? Controlling the snoring can help you lose weight. Losing weight can help you stop snoring.

The bottom line is if you are snoring you need to look further into the causes and solutions. Your partner (and possibly your neighbourhood!) will thank you.

For a FREE evaluation of your sleep visit www.sleepwise.ca and schedule a 15-minute phone with Jillian.