Is sleeping soundly all through the night an impossible dream due to snoring? It could be you or your partner who is losing sleep. Either way, you both desperately want to stop the snoring. In fact, you want to know the causes of snoring and how it can be prevented or stopped altogether. What do you do?

The causes of snoring can be either physiological or lifestyle-induced. Some of the common causes of snoring include excess body weight, too much alcohol drinking, smoking, improper sleeping positions, deviated septum, chronic nasal congestion, among others. Treating snoring usually depends on what is identified as the causes of snoring and the extent of the problem.

For lifestyle-induced snoring, it will take commitment and dedication to lessen or stop your snoring. However, lifestyle changes are far easier to implement. If your snoring is caused by excess body weight, then you should go on a weight loss program as soon as possible. Your excess weight narrows your airways. Eat healthy foods on time. Do not overeat and avoid night-time snacking. Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages, and taking sedatives hours before you sleep. Try to sleep on your side with your head elevated at the same time every night.

If the causes of snoring are more physiological, then you have your work cut out for you. For really disruptive snoring, your best course of action is to set up an appointment with a physician who specializes in sleeping disorders for a proper diagnosis. Check if there are any sleep diagnostic facilities near your area. Remember, you might have to bring along your partner. Some sleep centers will ask them questions about your snoring to get a full picture of the severity of your snoring problem. You might also get checked and tested for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) or other sleep disorders.

Other people who are diagnosed with a deviated septum are often recommended to undergo surgery to improve their condition and stop them from snoring. If nasal congestion is a chronic problem for you, make sure you do steam inhalation before you sleep at night. You need to clear the nasal passages to breathe easily; otherwise, it will keep you snoring while you sleep. You should also consider buying snoring aids that come in different forms – oral tablets, nasal and throat sprays, and nasal and throat strips. Like steam inhalation, they all work to make nasal breathing easier. Just remember that snoring aids are not used for people suffering from sleep apnea. Once you have been properly diagnosed, your doctors will come up with the best plan of action to address your snoring problem.