> Health and Disease > Sleep Disturbances > snoring

There’s no need to feel alone–snoring is a problem that affects half the adult population.

When we drift off, all of the muscles in our body relax and become floppy. The muscles that make up the airway get floppy too, and as the airway narrows, airflow is reduced, causing tissue in the throat to vibrate and make the sound of a snore.

Excessive mucus production, food sensitivities, and environmental allergens can cause and exacerbate snoring, as too can obesity, alcohol consumption, and smoking.

Snoring Solutions

There are several natural remedies available in health food stores to help alleviate snoring.

Digestive enzymes are an excellent way to reduce food sensitivity reactions that contribute to snoring. I recommend taking a capsule containing a full spectrum plant enzyme complex with each meal. In addition, bromelain–a protein digesting enzyme found in the pineapple plant–has anti-inflammatory and anti-allergy properties. Take 500 mg twice daily between meals.

Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is a naturally occurring nutrient that also has potent anti-allergy effects on the upper respiratory system. To reduce snoring, take 2,000 mg of MSM one hour before bedtime.

Stinging nettle is great for those who develop snoring during hay fever season. Take 300 mg twice daily to reduce hay fever symptoms.

Homeopathic anti-snoring formulas are another option for chronic snorers. They are available in most health food stores and are safe for children to use.

Getting a handle on a snoring problem is not just a concern for your sleep-deprived partner–there are times when snoring can lead to serious health conditions. If the flow of air is reduced too much, the oxygen level in your body can drop, leading to high blood pressure, heart attack or stroke.

Snoring can also make the work of breathing so difficult that sleep quality is ruined. The snorer may be asleep all night, but they are not getting any deep or “rapid eye movement” sleep. The next morning they wake up exhausted. This condition is called obstructive sleep apnea and any frequent or loud snoring should be thoroughly evaluated by a health professional.

For most of the snoring population, however, natural remedies can often reduce or eliminate a fitful night of snoring.

Mark Stengler, ND, is a practicing naturopathic doctor and author of 16 books, including Prescription for Natural Cures (Wiley, 2004). Visit thenaturalphysician.com.

Source: alive #268, February 2005