With Valentine's Day right around the corner, a great gift for your mate just may be nights of blissful sleep without hearing you sawing the logs. Yes, love means never having to say, "You're snoring!"

Snoring may lead to the demise of your relationship, removing intimacy, disrupting sex lives, and, in some cases, leading to divorce. But here are six ways to make sure everything will come up roses in the morning.

The American Academy of Otolaryngology, a group representing ear, nose, and throat doctors, recommends these preventive measures:

•  Adopt a healthy and athletic lifestyle to develop good muscle tone and lose weight.

•  Avoid tranquilizers, sleeping pills, and antihistamines before bedtime.

•  Avoid alcohol for at least four hours and heavy meals or snacks for three hours before retiring.

•  Establish regular sleeping patterns.

•  Sleep on your side rather than your back.

•  Tilt the head of your bed upwards four inches.

However, snoring can indicate a more serious medical problem, such as obstructive sleep apnea. If you have concerns, make an appointment to see an ear, nose, and throat physician.

You start snoring in your sleep when the muscles of your tongue and throat relax, narrowing the airway, so the vibration of air creates hoarse or harsh sounds.

According to the academy, 45 percent of adults snore at least occasionally, and 25 percent are habitual snorers. Problem snoring is more frequent in males and overweight persons, and it usually grows worse as you get older.

To illustrate the breadth of the problem, more than 300 devices registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office as snoring cures are on the market.

For more information

•  Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research

•  U.S. National Library of Medicine

•  Snoring . . . No Laughing Matter

Did You Know?

Snoring sends almost 90 million American adults into the guest room of their homes every year, according to sleep experts. 

Source: American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Foundation
Reference: Newswise

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