Snoring is a problem for many people but few of them really understand what causes the problem. One of the most common factors that leads to snoring is alcohol. Alcohol is a depressant that causes your muscles to relax more than usual, which can lead to snoring.
A more serious side effect of alcohol, in relation to snoring, is that it can cause a temporary case of sleep apnea – temporarily stopping breathing while sleeping.
This is not the same as a diagnosis of sleep apnea because it only happens when alcohol is consumed before going to bed. If you suddenly wake up in the middle of the night feeling short of breath or feel very drowsy the next day after drinking alcohol, it may be a sign of alcohol-induced sleep apnea. Given time, the problem could get more serious and you could find yourself with a serious sleep apnea problem.
If you aren’t able to stop drinking entirely, you can minimize the effects of alcohol on your sleep by not drinking for at least 4 hours before going to sleep. This gives your body a chance to recover from the alcohol and the effects it can have on your sleep.
Alcohol is not the only problem that can lead to these issues. Sleeping pills are another things that will affect you in much the same way as alcohol does. They are also depressants, and as such can lead to these same symptoms.
Antihistamines have also been shown to lead to these same problems. If possible, avoid using them before going to sleep. If you suffer from allergies, try to use a nasal decongestant rather than an antihistamine at bed time.
Remember, snoring doesn’t just affect you – studies show that your partner can lose up to an hour of sleep each night due to being awoken constantly by the sound of snoring.
