Dehydration & Snoring

Snoring can be an irritating issue to deal with. It can interrupt sleep patterns, cause sore throats, daytime sleepiness and high blood pressure. It occurs when air flows past relaxed tissues in the throat causing them to vibrate and produce sound. Dehydration can be a cause of, or contributor to, snoring.

Dehydration and Snoring

• The human body is made up of 90 percent of water and when the body experiences a lack of water supply, a large number of health issues arise. Snoring could be one such health issue. When the body is dehydrated, nasal passages become more sensitive; this makes it more likely for a sleeper to breathe through the mouth, increasing chances of snoring. The flow of air through the mouth can cause an even greater vibration of the tissues in the back of the throat, resulting in snoring.

Prevention

• To decrease chances of snoring, hydrate the body properly. The International Sports Medicine Institute recommends 1/2 ounce per pound of body weight for non- or slightly active individuals and 2/3 ounce per pound for athletic individuals. Also, avoid diuretics such as coffee, sweets and soft drinks.

Considerations

• While dehydration is linked to, and can cause, an increase in snoring, other factors such as genetics, weight management, environment and illness also contribute. It is important for snorers to take into consideration all possible causes of snoring to properly address the issue.