You just start to settle into bed when all of a sudden your little brother starts snoring. Snoring might disrupt your good night’s sleep, but it’s normal. In fact, most people don’t even know that they snore until someone tells them.

• What makes that snoring sound?
• What causes snoring?
• How can someone stop snoring?

What makes that snoring sound?

Vibrations in parts of your mouth and throat—your tonsils, uvula, tongue, soft palate and adenoids—cause snoring. When these structures vibrate against each other, the snoring sound is heard.
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What causes snoring?

People snore for many reasons. Allergies may cause snoring, and so can blocked sinuses, which are areas behind your nose and eyes that can be blocked because of a cold or virus. Someone might snore if his or her septum (the divider between the nostrils) is bent (this is called a deviated nasal septum). Swollen tonsils are one of the most common reasons for someone to snore. Being overweight can also create narrower passages for the air to enter the nose and cause snoring.
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How can someone stop snoring?

There are lots of devices (and TV infomercials) (LINK to TV) that claim to stop snoring. There are nose strips, which keep your nose open, and there are machines that wake you up if you snore. Talk to your parents before you consider these. There might be an easier method.

Sleeping on your side (instead of on your back) can help prevent snoring. You can also try sleeping with your head higher up (add an extra pillow or tilt up your bed). Avoid eating big meals before going to bed, which can cause snoring. Clean dust or feathers out of your room and make sure there aren’t things that cause allergies near your bed.

If you snore very loudly, see a doctor. You might need your tonsils or adenoids removed. Weight loss might also help, but you should talk with your parents and doctor first about whether this idea is right for you. A doctor can also prescribe allergy or cold medicines.

Snoring can also be a sign of sleep apnea, which means that your airways get smaller during the night and breathing is very difficult. Doctors have to monitor you while you sleep to see if you have sleep apnea.

Snoring is common, but there are lots of treatment options. If a friend snores, kindly tell them—they might not even know they are doing it. If you snore, talk to your parents about solutions. Sleep is important—don’t let snoring get in the way of a good night’s sleep.
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