Try These Snoring Remedies Before Enrolling in a Sleep Study

As much as we'd love for there to be a miracle product that works for anybody to help prevent snoring, unfortunately, there’s no hard-and-fast rule to stop snoring. Snoring is tricky to prevent, and lots of factors can cause it - anything from blocked nasal passages, allergies, and even diet. In fact, Eugene Chio, MD, the director of the Sleep Surgery Program at Ohio State Wexner Medical Center, said excess weight can also create snoring by adding to the tissue in the throat. "When some people lose weight, their snoring disappears," he said.

Chio advises snorers to avoid alcohol or sedatives before bedtime. So, maybe skip that nightcap before bed! "Drinking directly before bedtime will lead to relaxation of the upper airway muscle, leading to more snoring," he said. "Also, usually the more you drink, the worse the snoring becomes." Chio recommends snorers sleep on their side and utilize large body pillows to keep themselves in place once they have fallen asleep.

He also said there are several products on the market worth trying to put an end to your snoring. Most fall under one of these categories: mouthpiece, chin straps, nasal cones, strips, or nasal dilators. If you need help figuring out which remedy is right for you, see this handy chart LifeHacker published, and check out our recommended products in the list below.

You should really consider seeing a sleep specialist, too, since snoring is one of the most common side effects to sleep apnea. According to the American Sleep Association, sleep apnea can “increase the likelihood of high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, obesity, and diabetes.” If you're diagnosed with sleep apnea, the primary treatment is a CPAP machine, which forces air pressure through a mask into the airway to keep it open throughout the night.

For more info about sleep studies, Johns Hopkins University of Medicine has a nice breakdown of what you can expect if you enroll in one. Or if you want some more tips for cutting out the snoring, be sure to check out our colleagues' tips from Men's Health, too!