Millions of Americans are affected by snoring. In fact, about half of U.S. adults do it from time to time, and a full quarter of adults deal with it on a regular basis. If you’re one of them, you probably have quite a few questions and concerns. You know you snore, and you recently have realized you wake up with a sore throat in the mornings. Are you getting sick, or can snoring cause a sore throat?
What Happens When You are Snoring?
Before we answer whether or not snoring can lead to a sore throat, let’s first discuss what is actually happening when you snore. Snoring occurs because the relaxed tissues in your throat vibrate as the air you breathe in rushes past them. When the flow of air through your nose and throat is restricted, you snore. This inability to breathe properly causes the surrounding tissues to vibrate, resulting in the unpleasant sound we all know and definitely don’t love.
Can Snoring Lead to a Sore Throat?
Snoring is many times associated with mouth breathing, which leads to dryness as well as an irritation of the mouth and throat. The vibration of the throat tissues associated with snoring can also cause irritation and even inflammation, which then leads to throat pain in the morning. Severe snoring may even cause uncomfortable swelling of the uvula.
It certainly makes sense that snoring leads to a sore throat. But, why? Snoring is often associated with a sleep disorder called Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). Not all people who snore have OSA. However, if your snoring is accompanied by any of the following symptoms, it is possible that you do:
Breathing pauses, gasping, or choking during sleep
Excessive daytime sleepiness
Restless sleep
Morning headaches
Sore throat upon awakening
That’s right, a sore throat from snoring is actually a symptom of a much more serious issue. Beyond the health implications of snoring in and of itself, anything that wrecks your sleep is really bad for you! You need high-quality sleep to feel rested and happy. Your body is hard at work fighting off infections and viruses as you sleep. Your skin needs sleep to repair itself. Your brain needs REM sleep to clean itself and store memories. This is only the beginning!
Anything that wakes you up before your sleep cycle is complete harms your physical, mental, and emotional health. It’s time to stop snoring for good, so your throat feels better, and your entire body gets the rest it needs.
The Number One Bedroom Essential to Help Eliminate Snoring
Your sleep position goes a long way to whether you snore or not. This makes adjusting your sleep position one of the easiest and most effective ways to stop snoring and eliminate that sore throat, as well. Adjustable beds can help reduce Obstructive Sleep Apnea. This is why sleeping on an adjustable bed base is one of the best ways to eliminate snoring. When you have your mattress on this type of foundation, you simply use the remote to gently raise your torso. When you lie flat on your back, gravity pulls on your throat and constricts your airway. Raising your head can help keep your airway clear. It really is that simple!
We carry adjustable beds from PranaSleep, Nectar, Sealy, Serta, Tempur-Pedic, and our very own City Mattress brand. If you’re snoring, a sore throat is only one of many things to be concerned with. It’s time to take control of your sleep, and therefore your health as well. One simple addition to your bedroom can result in better sleep and a higher level of sleep satisfaction. Isn’t it time you have the perfect bedroom, one that makes it easy to fall asleep, stay asleep, and wake up feeling refreshed?