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Snoring is a condition that nearly half of Americans suffer from, and that number only grows when you think of all the partners and roomates who also have to endure this unfortunate condition second hand. But it isn’t just the noise that is problematic. Snoring has been linked to many serious conditions including sleep apnea, difficulty breathing and even strain on the hart.
The good news is, there are several simple ways to stop snoring so you and those around you can get the sleep you all need.
1. Change your sleep position
You may find that snoring most often occurs when you are lying on your back. This is likely due to your tongue and soft palate (the part of your mouth responsible for closing off the nasal passages while swallowing) collapsing to the back of the throat. When this happens, it closes off much of the airway, essentially causing air to eek through, making the vibrating snoring noise.
A simple fix is to change sleep positions to reopen those airways. This may be easier said than done, if you are traditionally a back sleeper. But, if you get that mid-sleep nudge from your partner, take it as a cue to roll over or find another room to sleep in. If you sleep alone, you could always try strapping an uncomfortable object like a ping-pong ball to your back to give you that painful nudge to stay off your back until it becomes a habit.
