The Lost ShangriLa - Le ciel bleu profond - Keep Walking, Traveler25

As someone who values sleep, snoring is serious business.

Snoring affects people of all ages and can be more than just a noisy nuisance. It can cause disruptions in the sleep of both the snorer and those around them. Snoring leads to fragmented sleep, which translates to poor daytime functioning like tiredness and sleepiness.

75% of people who snore have obstructive sleep apnea, which is when breathing is disrupted during sleep for short periods. And this increases the risk of developing heart disease. Here are a few quick fixes that may help ease snoring.

First, try changing your sleep position. Lying on your back allows your tongue to fall backward into your throat, which narrows your airway and partially obstructs airflow, causing a vibrating sound. Sleeping on your side may help prevent this.

To reduce snoring, staying hydrated is important and also avoiding alcohol and sedatives, which relax the throat muscles.

Another common cause of snoring is allergens such as dust mites in your bedroom and pillow. It may be a good idea to dust and change your pillows often.

So a quick recap: get enough sleep, sleep on your side, avoid alcohol especially before bedtime, and drink plenty of water!

For Perspective, I'm Linda Chu.