Snoring is one of the top causes of interrupted sleep, whether you share a bed with someone who snores or you snore yourself. About 57% of men, 40% of women and 27% of children are affected by snoring. More than 30% of adults are habitual snorers and at least half of us admit to snoring at some point in our lives.
What Causes Snoring
The vibrating sound or snoring you hear is air trying to get past the soft, relaxed muscles and tissue of your throat. The more inflamed your throat becomes, the worse it will sound. If you suspect your snoring is the result of seasonal allergies or a cold, and not sleep apnea, focus on treating the inflammation. The snoring will eventually subside.
Types of Snoring
Obstructive Sleep Apnea is a sleep disorder that develops from snoring and occurs when the soft tissue in the throat collapses and blocks the airway. An apnea is a pause in breathing for 10 seconds or more while sleeping. Snoring from Obstructive Sleep Apnea tends to be loud and sounds as if a person is choking, snorting, or gasping.
The louder and more obnoxious the snoring becomes, the more likely a blocked nasal passage from Obstructive Sleep Apnea is the culprit. This type of snoring not only disturbs sleep but often disrupts the balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the body as well. If left untreated, sleep apnea leads to insomnia, the most common and serious sleep disorder in the U.S.
Mild or primary snoring is extremely common and not the result of sleep apnea.
Mild snoring can be caused by nasal congestion, a deviated septum, other nasal problems, allergies, high blood pressure, sleeping in a flat position, sleeping on your back, sleeping on an outdated and unsupportive mattress, breathing in dry air as you sleep, consuming excessive amounts of alcohol before bedtime, or just not getting a good night of sleep regularly.
Talk to your doctor If your snoring is frequent and you are not sure of the cause. Your doctor will be able to conduct tests or even a sleep study to determine if your snoring is a result of a bigger health concern like Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Once your doctor establishes the cause of your snoring, they can create a treatment plan to help with your symptoms.
Best Bed for Snoring and Sleep Apnea
Sleepers who sleep on their backs are more likely to snore because the head and neck is not elevated and gravity presses down on the soft palate of the throat.
If sleeping on your back is the reason for your snoring, switching to your side may help. Side sleepers need more cushion in their mattresses to alleviate the extra pressure put on the shoulders and hips; this is something these sleepers should consider before purchasing a new mattress.
An unsupportive or old mattress can cause snoring because it leads to poor spinal alignment, sore joints, and pressure build-up in the head and neck. A new mattress that provides enough cushioning to alleviate pressure and enough support to keep the spinal posture neutral is a must for all sleepers but especially those who snore.
The best mattress for snoring should provide pressure-point relief and even weight disbursement across the mattress surface for adequate support. A mattress that supports the spine will keep the throat and neck aligned and help keep the airway open to allow a sleeper to breathe more easily.
A high-loft or medium-loft memory-foam pillow may also help open the airway and allow for better breathing throughout the night.
Adjustable Bases to Ease Snoring
An adjustable bed relieves pressure off the back and neck and allows sleepers to sleep pain-free and uninterrupted throughout the night.
An adjustable base is also great for acid reflux sufferers by putting the head in a more elevated position. It will keep stomach acids from going all the way up to the esophagus and throat.
You will still need to continue to use an anti-snoring device or CPAP machine if your doctor has prescribed them, but an adjustable bed will contribute to the best-quality sleep possible.
TEMPUR-Pedic Mattresses for Snoring
Each TEMPUR-Pedic mattress evenly absorbs the force of your body and your pressure points, reduces motion transfer between you and your partner, and regulates body temperature to give you the most relaxing sleep possible.
TEMPUR-Adapt Mattress
The TEMPUR-Adapt all-foam mattress molds closely to the shape of your body which provides pressure relief, making it a good choice for snorers, especially side-sleeping snorers.
The TEMPUR-Adapt hybrid version is a good option for all types of sleepers who suffer from snoring. This is due to the combination of foam for comfort and pressure relief as well as innerspring coils for support and maintaining the sleeper’s natural posture.
Both TEMPUR-Adapt mattresses are available in a medium comfort level.
TEMPUR-ProAdapt Mattress
The TEMPUR-ProAdapt medium is recommended for sleepers who suffer from snoring who prefer a soft comfort layer balanced with a solid support layer.
The TEMPUR-ProAdapt is also offered in a soft version for side sleepers who are lighter or a firm version for stomach sleepers and back sleepers who are heavier.
TEMPUR-ProBreeze Mattress
The TEMPUR-ProBreeze is offered in a medium all-foam mattress or a medium hybrid mattress and feels three degrees cooler throughout the night compared to the Adapt Collection.
The TEMPUR-ProBreeze medium all-foam version offers the best sleep experience for snoring side sleepers who are of lighter weight and tend to sleep hot at night.
The TEMPUR-ProBreeze medium hybrid version is better for heavier-weight sleepers of all sleep positions who not only snore but want body temperature regulation as they sleep.
TEMPUR-Sealy Smart Bed
The TEMPUR-Sealy Smart Base senses snoring by using a sensor that connects to the bed and raises the head to a position to help reduce snoring automatically. Another great reason TEMPUR-Pedic is the answer to all your sleeping needs, especially snoring.
Choosing the Best Tempur-Pedic Mattress
Snoring is a fairly common occurrence in adults but it can range in severity. Whether you snore frequently or only at certain times of the year, like during allergy season, the right mattress, pillows and adjustable base will help you breathe a little easier. A smoother and quieter sleep will ensure a better night of sleep.
Stop by any of our Mattress Express locations and a sleep specialist will help you uncover the right mattress for you.
