Home Treatment

Snoring generally is first treated at home. Treatment includes:

• Losing weight. Many people who snore are overweight. Weight loss can help reduce the narrowing of the airway and possibly reduce or eliminate snoring.
• Limiting the use of alcohol and medicines. Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol or taking certain medicines, especially sleeping pills or tranquilizers, before sleep may make snoring worse.
• Going to bed at the same time each night and getting plenty of sleep. Snoring may be more frequent when you have not had enough sleep.
• Sleeping on your side. Sleeping on your side may eliminate snoring. Try sewing a pocket in the middle of the back of your pajama top, putting a tennis ball into the pocket, and stitching it closed. This will help keep you from sleeping on your back.
• Promptly treating breathing problems. Breathing problems caused by colds or allergies can disturb airflow, leading to snoring.
• Using nasal strips. Nasal strips, such as Breathe Right, widen the nostrils and improve airflow.