Do adjustable beds help with snoring?
Snoring can range from being a simple annoyance to a more frustrating issue that leaves you feeling unrefreshed in the morning.
If you’re tired of being packed off to the spare room by your other half, or you’re struggling to identify the root cause of your snoring, it may be time to look for a longer-term solution.
Luckily, an adjustable bed could be just the answer you’re looking for. Learn how adjustable beds help with snoring and rediscover the peaceful night’s sleep you’ve been missing.
What is snoring?
Snoring is very common, and is not usually caused by anything concerning. Snoring happens when your throat is narrowed, which means air can’t move freely as you breathe. The varied snorts are made by air moving over soft tissues in your throat and mouth, causing them to vibrate as air squeezes past.
If snoring in bed is causing you problems, then there are a few treatments available. These are generally based on what is causing your snoring. Your GP can investigate this for you. They include devices that stop your tongue from falling back into your throat, and straps that prevent your mouth from opening while you sleep. You’ll often need to make some lifestyle adjustments too.
How is snoring different from sleep apnoea?
Snoring is sometimes caused by a condition called sleep apnoea, which is when your breathing stops and starts while you sleep.
While snoring is caused by a narrowed throat, in sleep apnoea your throat is completely blocked for short periods, which stops you from breathing properly. This can happen multiple times a night, and each time your breathing stops, your body will wake you up to restart it.
The loud snorts associated with sleep apnoea are made when your breathing restarts. This means that these snores are actually made when you’re awake, unlike regular snoring, which happens while you’re asleep.
Adjustable beds are a good way to help with snoring and sleep apnoea. However, if you regularly wake up with headaches and feel very tired during the day, speak to your GP as sleep apnoea can cause further health issues if left untreated.
What can cause snoring?
Snoring occurs when your airways are narrow while you sleep, causing the vibration of soft tissue (like your tongue) as you breathe. While snoring is usually nothing to worry about, it can impact a good night’s sleep — especially for those in the same room. Here are six common reasons why some people snore.
1. Your tongue and throat muscles relax too much
Your muscles are naturally relaxed while you sleep. But in some people, their tongue relaxes too much, allowing it to fall back and partially block their throat.
2. Your mouth falls open when you sleep
Your jaw muscles also relax while you sleep. In some people, this means their jaw falls open. The weight of their jaw is then resting on their throat, particularly if they also sleep on their back. This weight can narrow their throat and cause snoring!
3. Your nasal airways are blocked or narrow
The airways in your nose can be narrower than normal for many reasons. Hay fever, nasal polyps and sinusitis, amongst others. Because sinus swelling can force you to breathe through your mouth, it makes snoring more likely.
4. Your body weight
Being overweight can put extra pressure on your throat when you’re lying down. Combined with over-relaxed throat muscles, this can mean your airway becomes narrowed while you sleep.
5. You smoke or drink alcohol
Studies show that smokers and those who drink too much alcohol are more prone to snoring. One reason for this is that alcohol relaxes the muscles in your throat, making it easier for them to relax too much and narrow your throat at night.
6. You sleep on your back
If you sleep on your back, you’re more likely to snore. This sleeping position means your muscles have to work harder against gravity to keep your airways open.
Do adjustable beds help snoring?
Yes, adjustable beds can help to reduce snoring. Adjustable beds can relieve pressure in your throat with a comfortable, elevated position for a snore-free sleep.
An adjustable bed’s innovative functionality and practicality help you overcome snoring in four main ways.
1. Keeps your head elevated
Adjustable beds can be positioned to keep your head raised as you sleep to prevent you from snoring. Sleeping with your head raised by a few inches prevents your tongue from falling backwards and blocking your throat as you sleep. It also means that if you sleep with your mouth open, your jaw will hang without pressing down onto your throat.
Sleeping upright also makes it easier for your sinuses to drain, which means that the airways in your nose will be more open while you sleep. This makes breathing through your nose easier, reducing the chances of sleeping with your mouth open—and your chances of snoring, too.
2. Keeps your spine neutral
Sleeping in a more upright position can be a simple but effective way to banish snoring. But this often leads to midnight battles with uncomfortable stacks of pillows, which inevitably you’ll either roll off of, or they’ll flatten during the night – restarting your snoring!
While a stack of pillows may be your go-to solution, you’re likely placing unnecessary strain on your neck as your head bends towards your chest. Not to mention the midnight battles with uncomfortable stacks of pillows that you’ll either roll off of or flatten during the night — which will restart your snoring!
To reduce the strain on your back while you sleep, you should aim to lay in a neutral spine position. A neutral position means keeping your spine in its natural ‘s’ curve shape. By contouring to the shape of your body, an adjustable bed can elevate your head above your body, while also keeping the rest of your spine in that healthy neutral position.
3. Letting you sleep on your back
If you’re a back sleeper, you may be dismayed to discover that your side is the best position to stop snoring. Sleeping on your side prevents gravity from pulling your relaxed tongue and jaw backwards into your throat. This means you may have to learn to sleep on your side if you want to tackle your snoring. If you find sleeping on your side painful, due to sore hips or shoulders for example, then trying to sleep on your side can be a real struggle.
An Adjustable Mattress allows you to sleep elevated with ease. This means you can sleep on your back if that is the position that you find most comfortable, while tackling many of the root causes of snoring.
4. Keeps you comfortably on your side
Should you decide that side sleeping is the best option to combat your snoring, an adjustable bed mattress helps you do so with ease.
An adjustable bed mattress prevents pain and stiffness while lying on your side — meaning you’ll no longer have to sleep on your back to avoid pain in other positions.
Instead, an adjustable bed mattress supports your spine in a healthy position to reduce pressure points on your hips, shoulders and knees. This allows you to lay comfortably on your side in a position that reduces snoring.
Overcome snoring with an adjustable bed
Making the necessary changes to tackle snoring in your sleep can be difficult to manage alone. Pillows and snoring aids, such as devices that hold your mouth closed, can help – but Adjustable beds make it easy. Browse our range of Adjustable Beds to discover comfort you control, and start sleeping soundly!
Which adjustable bed should I buy?
With plenty of adjustable bed options available, knowing where to start can be overwhelming. Luckily, our expert buying guide gives you all the information you need to purchase an adjustable bed that’s right for you.
You can also request a brochure or even arrange a free adjustable bed consultation to help ensure you’re able to make a fully informed decision.
Still have questions? Please don’t hesitate to give us a call on 0800 689 9823 (9am-5pm Mon-Fri), or drop us a message. We can organise a home visit for you to trial any bed, as well as give you professional and reliable advice. Let’s help you get a good night’s sleep! Adjustamatic offers 0% financing options and you may be eligible for a VAT-exempt adjustable bed.
