Although it's the source for many humorous comments and a target for making fun of, snoring can actually be quite a serious problem. The sound that is made while someone is snoring is the result of the tissues at the back of your throat relaxing, a natural effect of your body shutting down to enjoy a good night's sleep from the day's rigours. However, as long as you understand why people snore, it's easier to find a simple treatment for bad snoring problems.

The problem itself occurs when these tissues get too relaxed, and start to block the airway - if left untreated, it can cause untold damage to the nose and throat. The same goes for drinking a lot of alcohol before going to sleep: since this is a natural relaxant, the tissues and throat muscles relax even further, and can cause the loudest snoring of all. While it can be a funny topic of conversation, for both the snorer and sleeping partner it can be a nightmare. The person snoring won't actually have a good night's sleep, and anyone sharing the same bed will be even worse off. Thankfully, help is at hand.

Although there is surgical treatment available, this should be seen as a last resort due to the areas of the body involved. There are more traditional methods that should be tried first, as you may be surprised how effective they can be. For instance, since you're trying to keep your airway as clear as possible, try sleeping without a pillow propping your head forward. The less pressure on your neck, the less chance that your airway will be closed up.

Cruel to be Kind

A more effective way to reduce the chance of snoring is to not sleep on your back, although the method involved is slightly uncomfortable. Remember the fairy tale about "The Princess And The Pea", where a true princess would be unable to sleep, as she would feel the smallest pea underneath the thickest mattresses? This is similar to that: tie a tennis ball or something similar to your back, and every time you roll over onto it, you'll feel uncomfortable and will naturally switch to your side again. Drastic but effective - just don't tear the ball off and throw it at the wall!

As mentioned, alcohol is a prime cause of snoring, so avoid consuming large amounts before bed. However, even something as harmless as milk can cause a problem, since it coats your throat and soon there will be a build-up of mucus, which once again will cause snoring. Changing your eating habits to a healthier diet should reap the rewards too, and not only when it comes to your snoring.

Although snoring can be an incredibly frustrating affliction, more so for the poor person lying next to the snorer, these methods and more can help cure it. And even if you have tried all these and the snoring still persists, there is always medication and professional yet simple treatments for bad snoring problems, which mean you don't have to suffer in non-silence for too long.