Why Do I Snore On My Back?
That’s a question we got from one of our loyal subscriber Jim a few days ago.
Jim says he sleeps comfortably on his back but when he does, his wife keeps poking him in his side because of his loud snoring. He snores so badly that his wife has a hard time falling asleep.
The funny thing is, Jim only snores when he sleeps on his back.
So the questions that arises are:
- Why Does This Happen?
- And are you having the same problem?
- Does sleeping on your back make you snore?
If you are asking the above questions, you are at the right place. Below you’ll learn why sleeping on your back maybe causing your snoring as well as what you can do to fix the problem.
But Let’s Take A Closer Look At Snoring
Snoring is caused by turbulence inside the airway during inspiration.
This turbulence happens as a result of partial blockage of the throat area either at the tip of the nasal cavity or the vocal chords. In most cases, restriction occurs during sleep because the throat muscles tend to relax when we doze off.
Most snoring problems originate from the base of the soft palate but in recent years scientists have found out that the tongue plays a far more important role in the incidence of snoring than was previously thought.
The problem however, is that snoring is not something that can be stopped at will. It is a physical abnormality like any other and sometimes it is important to seek proper medication attention for it.
One self-help remedy that is often recommended is side sleeping.
Some argue that if you sleep on your back you are more likely to snore than if you sleep on your side or stomach.
So do these claims have any medical backing or are they just myths?
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Snoring And Your Sleep Position
How Your Sleeping Position Affects Your Snoring Chances
There are three common sleeping patterns namely:
- Side sleeping
- Stomach sleeping
- And Back sleeping,
Let us see how each one of them affects your snoring patterns.
Stomach Sleeping
Stomach sleeping provides more body warmth particularly because you get to inhale warm air from the pillow. In addition, it eases pressure on your ribs and spine, which can result in better relaxation.
When it comes to snoring, stomach sleepers have a slight advantage over those who sleep in different positions because the throat tends to open wider leaving just enough space for airflow.
But there are several health disadvantages that come with tummy sleeping.
Side Sleeping
Whether you sleeping in a curled up fetal position or lying straight, side sleeping is a winner in improving blood circulation to the heart. It also reduces pressure on your spine thus reducing your risk of lower back pain. Another added advantage is that this position tends to ease acid reflux and heartburn thereby promoting healthier sleeping patterns.
What about snoring?
Well, side sleeping can help tame up to 54% of snoring problems.
That is to say, changing sleeping positions alone may not entirely help end the problem and sometimes a more advanced solution may have to be sought.
Back Sleeping
Sleeping in this position is a boon for your neck and spine health, because your back is not forced into any contortions.
In addition, back sleeping protects your face from wrinkles (a win for the cosmetically inclined) and allows the mattress to do its job of supporting the spine.
So how does sleeping on your back make you snore?
Snoring occurs when your muscles relax and your tongue falls backward toward the throat. This is the reason back sleepers are likelier to snore than non-back sleepers. According to a study published in the New York Times, majority of people who snore are positional snorers.
That means they only need to change their sleeping positions to control the problem. However, this trick does not always work for everybody.
But why?
The reason is simple; there are many other causes of snoring apart from the partial blockage that occurs when you sleep on your back. For instance, as you age, your throat muscles tend to relax and that may aggravate the snoring.
Likewise, if you are obese (and have a lot of fatty tissue around the neck) or if you drink alcohol before going to bed then back sleeping may not be to blame for your snoring woes.
The Takeaway
Yes, sleeping on your back may increase your chances of snoring.
However, sometimes the culprit behind the rumbling sound may not be your sleeping position. You can snore even if you are a side sleeper or a stomach sleeper. The key is to find a remedy that works and provides you with a long-term solution to your problem.
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