If the sound of your own snoring frequently startles you awake at night- you are not alone. According to some estimates, about 40% of the world’s population snores, about 25% – regularly. For the majority of snorers, this condition doesn’t only affect the quality of their own sleep, but also of their spouses and families.

In its broadest definition, snoring is a condition in which blockage of the air passageways in the nose, mouth or throat results in audible air vibrations – the roaring or grunting sound that we know as snoring. There are many factors that cause snoring.

Most frequently, snoring is caused by obesity and is very common among overweight people. This happens because of the extra long soft palate or when excess fatty tissue that is characteristic of bulky necks adds pressure and weight on the air passageways, constricting and blocking them. For the same reasons, snoring is often found in children who have inflamed adenoids or very large tonsils.

Poor muscle tone of the throat and the tongue can also cause or aggravate snoring. During sleep, muscles are generally relaxed. When the muscle tone is especially weak, they can ‘collapse’ or collide with one another, causing the very same air vibrations in the passageways. Poor muscle tone can also cause one’s tongue to fall back into one’s throat, resulting in blockages and leading to snoring.

Poor muscle tone is further intensified by consuming alcohol or any other substance that has relaxing properties shortly before sleep.

In order to stop snoring, or at least to reduce the severity of the snoring condition, first find out what causes snoring in your particular case and then seek the appropriate cure. Here are a few popular and effective remedies that are proven to help stop snoring.

1) Nasal strips. They should be used by those, whose snoring is caused by congestion of the nasal passages. Nasal strips will not be effective in cases when the primary problem stems from a blockage in one’s mouth or throat.

2) While almost every snorer has heard of anti snoring sprays, not everyone who’s tried them experienced relief. Snoring sprays work by softening the hardened tissue or congestion that causes blockages in one’s throat.

3) Stop snoring pillows have taken internet by storm. They are very effective for those, whose snoring is caused or aggravated by sleeping on one’s back, as supine (lying on one’s back) position during sleep narrows air passageways. Anti snoring pillows work by keeping the snorer in a side position during sleep.

4) Stop Snoring chin straps are excellent for reducing or eliminating snoring caused by a structural problem of the mouth and jaw. The tight fitting mask keeps the jaw in place, thus reducing or even eliminating snoring.

While these 4 methods are among the most popular and well-known stop snoring remedies, not every one of them is guaranteed to work for everyone. For best results, learn about what causes snoring in your particular case, and seek an appropriate solution.

Author Bio: Olya I. is a Toronto based freelance writer and sleep enthusiast. For more tips, articles and help to cure snoring, visit us at Sleep Through the Night.net To receive your complimentary 10 part email minicourse, sign up for 10 Secrets to Stop Snoring To find out about best snoring remedies, go to stop snoring exercises