If you have a lot of extra fat on your body, then you might be wondering: will weight loss help snoring problems? Most snorers are overweight, so losing a few pounds may be enough to reduce your snoring problem. Losing five to eight pounds may help. Other factors that can contribute to snoring include alcohol consumption before bed and the use of antihistamines or sleeping pills before bed. Smoking is another factor. These factors cause nasal congestion, a major contributor to snoring.
Obesity causes snoring
People who are obese have a higher chance of developing sleep apnea, or sleep-related breathing difficulties. Obesity also puts extra pressure on the throat and airways, and may result in a large or misshapen tongue. Snoring is more common in older adults, when throat muscles weaken and the tongue can become stuck in the airway. In addition, nasal issues can cause difficulty breathing, which in turn leads to snoring.
Obesity affects the structure of the lungs and diaphragm. Fat on the chest and thighs compresses the ribcage and shrinks the lungs, resulting in less airflow and a louder snoring sound. Obesity can also reduce lung capacity, which inhibits airflow and prevents the throat from collapsing. Women and men gain fat in different places. While men gain fat primarily on the chest and thighs, women tend to accumulate fat on the chest and body peripherally.
Exercise reduces snoring
While it may not sound like it can reduce your snoring problem, it is a proven way to sleep better at night. If you snore loudly while sleeping, it could be a sign of a more serious condition, such as obstructive sleep apnea. These sleep disorders can make it difficult to get the rest you need, which is why these exercises are so helpful.
In addition to breathing through your nose, you should do mouth and throat exercises to tone the muscles that cause snoring. These exercises target the muscles that surround the airway, the tongue, and the soft palate. By toning these muscles, they reduce the likelihood of snoring. These exercises are commonly known as oropharyngeal exercises or myofunctional therapy. They target the tongue, sides of the throat, and soft palate, and are also great for relieving stress.
Oral appliances reduce snoring
Many people experience weight loss and an increase in snoring, but there are some steps that can help reduce the loudness of your snoring. A sleep specialist may recommend oral appliances. They are made of plastic and look similar to sports mouthguards. These devices are worn during sleep and work by keeping the air passages open. While they are more effective for people with sleep apnea, they are not a cure-all for snoring.
Before using an oral appliance, a sleep study is necessary to assess the snoring condition and determine whether it’s caused by a weight loss-related change in the patient’s mouth. The measurements were taken while the patient was asleep, and the device was then fitted. This morning repositioner helps realign the bite. The patient is required to wear the appliance for at least 30 minutes before bedtime, and the appliance will be removed for a couple of hours each night.
Getting help for snoring
If you’ve lost weight and started to snore, you may want to get help for snoring after your new healthy weight. Your GP can check your nose and mouth and may refer you for further tests. If your snoring is caused by an underlying medical condition, your GP may recommend surgical intervention, which isn’t covered by the NHS. While surgery may help you stop snoring for good, it is not always effective and can come back after some time.
Snoring is a serious health problem that can cause a number of symptoms including irritability and fatigue. It affects the quality of sleep of both snorers and their partners. In addition to causing a poor night’s sleep, snoring can interfere with judgment and thinking skills, and it may even be linked to high blood pressure and heart conditions. It may also lead to problems with learning, communication, and relationships.