Snoring is a common issue that affects many people. Research suggests[1] that about 45% of individuals snore occasionally, while 25% of adults snore frequently.
While men are more likely to snore[2] compared to women, it can affect anyone irrespective of gender. In this guide, we’ll take a look at what causes snoring in females, when it becomes a concern, and solutions to help alleviate it.
What Is Snoring?
Before we consider how to stop someone from snoring or take a look at why this happens, let’s first consider what snoring is. This will give you a better idea of how and why it happens.
When you go to sleep, there are times when the tissues in your throat relax, and cause a vibration when air flows past them. This vibration causes the snoring sound that most of us are familiar with.
Is Snoring Something to be Concerned About?
Snoring is typically considered normal, especially if it’s not frequent enough to affect one’s daily life. Occasional snorers usually don’t have anything to worry about.
However, it’s essential to understand that there are cases where snoring can be a problem. Apart from keeping your partner awake, snoring can sometimes be a sign that something is going on with your health. For example, it could signal a serious problem that needs medical attention. This is why you must ensure you understand when snoring isn’t normal anymore and take the right actions.
What Causes Snoring in Females
When it comes to asking what causes snoring in females, there are quite a number of potential answers. You have to consider each of the causes, as this can give you a better idea of what’s behind your snoring. This strategy would also help you understand if it could be related to something serious.
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Pregnancy: When you’re pregnant, your body goes through many changes. Hormones begin to fluctuate, which sometimes makes fluids build up in your nasal passages. You may notice more frequent nasal congestion, which can restrict your breathing and ultimately contribute to snoring. About 23% of pregnant women[3] will experience snoring.
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Menopause: If you’re going through menopause, it means levels of progesterone and estrogen are drastically decreasing. Some experts believe that this change in hormones is what contributes to snoring during and after this period in your life.
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Overweight and obesity: Being overweight causes several risks to your health. Excess fat and tissues in your throat can also restrict breathing when you lie down. This, in turn, can contribute to the vibrations that cause snoring sounds as you breathe during sleep.
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Nasal congestion and other issues in the nose: Problems related to your sinuses can restrict the amount of space you have to breathe in and out. This reduces how much air you get into your lungs. As you breathe, air moves quickly in and out of your lungs, and due to the constrictions in your nasal cavity, this can create vibrations that result in snoring sounds. Studies have also confirmed[4] that chronic nasal congestion is a major risk factor for snoring.
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Smoking, alcohol, and sedatives: Using alcohol or sedatives, and smoking, can also cause problems with tissues in your throat. By relaxing these tissues, you’re more likely to find that you snore when you go to sleep.
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Hypothyroidism: If you have hypothyroidism, it means your thyroid gland is underactive. It’s not making enough hormones to support certain functions in your body. Your thyroid may sometimes become enlarged, and this can obstruct your airways. In turn, it creates a risk of obstructive sleep apnea and snoring.
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Obstructive Sleep Apnea: In cases of obstructive sleep apnea[5], soft tissues in your neck put pressure on your windpipe. As it pushes on the windpipe, snoring can happen. Many people with obstructive sleep apnea start to snore very soon after they’re asleep. Snoring can also be very loud in this case.
Other things can also be contributing factors. For example, some women may have nighttime anxiety. In this case, the consistent tension can cause physical symptoms to develop.
Taking a product like the NUU3 Keep Calm Gummies might come in handy in these situations. It helps to reduce the feelings of anxiety, so your body won’t tense up and experience breathing difficulties.
Can Snoring Cause Complications?
There are a couple of complications that can happen as a result of snoring. This usually only affects those who snore more frequently, especially if there’s an underlying cause behind it.
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Frequent waking from sleep: You may snore so loud that you wake yourself up. It’s a rather common occurrence, and this would affect the amount of time you spend asleep. It can also be disruptive to your sleep cycles.
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Light sleeping: People who snore frequently are sometimes light sleepers as well. This means even the slightest sound in the environment around you can wake you up. You may then have a tough time falling asleep again.
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Strain on your heart: Over time, consistent snoring, especially if it's related to an underlying condition, can put a strain on your heart. This can then increase the risk of certain heart conditions.
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Poor night’s sleep: Overall, snoring affects your sleep quality. If you don’t get enough sleep and have this regular disturbance in your sleep cycles, you may find that you feel tired the next day. One study[6] found that these effects even increase the risk of falling asleep when you’re driving and make you more likely to develop a depressive disorder.
How is Snoring Diagnosed and Treated?
When asking about how to stop someone snoring immediately, it’s important to realize that there are cases where something serious is going on. Thus, apart from trying to get someone to stop snoring, visiting a doctor can be a good starting point.
If your doctor suspects that your snoring is related to an underlying cause, they will likely start with some tests. These tests may include a physical examination and a couple of blood tests. Even though your doctor may already have an idea about what causes snoring in females they still need to identify a specific cause in your case.
A sleep study may also be a good idea, as this allows a professional to monitor your sleep. Alternatively, your doctor may advise you to wear a sleep tracker for a few nights to get more data on your sleep habits and patterns.
Treatment aims to address the underlying cause, such as weight loss for overweight individuals or medication for hypothyroidism.
What Can You Do About Snoring?
There are also some home remedies that you can try. For example, you could learn how to stop sleeping with mouth open. This can help to reduce the loudness and frequency of your snoring in some cases.
Other home remedies may include:
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If you’re stressed out and find it difficult to fall asleep, consider taking NUU3 Sleep support Gummies. They help you feel more relaxed and make it easier to both fall asleep and stay asleep throughout the night.
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If you’re obese, consider implementing some lifestyle changes to lose some of the extra pounds. You could use a product like NUU3 Apple Cider Vinegar Gummies to give yourself a headstart, as it boosts your metabolism and helps you feel full.
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If you experience restless sleep, it might be a good idea to ask your doctor about treatment options. Drinking some tea to help your body relax during the night. There are also certain medications that help with restlessness.
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Eat a healthy diet and drink lots of water. This helps ensure your body has access to important nutrients and avoids dehydration.
FAQs
What foods stop snoring?
Some people find that eating more honey and fatty fish helps to reduce snoring. Having some relaxing tea before bed could also be useful if you’re looking for a calming or soothing beverage that can help stop snoring.
Is snoring a bad thing?
In many cases, snoring won’t be harmful to you. However, it’s important to understand that it can keep you awake at night, as well as affect the sleep of others around you, such as your partner.
Is snoring unhealthy?
If your snoring is caused by an underlying factor, such as hypothyroidism or obstructive sleep apnea, then it’s unhealthy. This is due to the potential complications that these underlying conditions can cause.
How much snoring is normal?
Snoring now and then is considered normal and not a big concern. However, if you’re a regular snorer, especially if it happens every night, it might be a good idea to consult your doctor.
Outlook
Snoring is often something we brush off, but sometimes, it can be a sign of something deeper going on. It’s important to understand what causes snoring in females and to know when you should feel concerned. Luckily, there are effective treatments and even some home remedies you can try out to get your snoring under control.
References
1] ↑ https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/why-do-people-snore-answers-for-better-health
2] ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6411176/
3] ↑ https://ihpi.umich.edu/news/snoring-pregnancy-why-it-happens-how-stop
4] ↑ https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/648438
5] ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459252/
6] ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25946644/
Dr. Ahmed Zayed
Dr. Zayed, has years of experience in the field and has been contributing to public health awareness. Dr. Ahmed Zayed holds a baccalaureate of Medicine and Surgery. Egypt. Dr. Zayed believes in providing knowledgeable information to readers. His articles were featured on many websites like HuffingtonPost, Chicagotribune . Other than his passion for writing, Dr. Zayed spends his time outside the hospital, either reading or at the gym.
