Snoring affects about 50% off all adults in the United States. There are a number of causes for this grumbling and grating sound, including obesity, alcohol consumption, deviated septum, nasal polyps and the most common—nasal congestion. Allergies to dust can block your nose and increase your risk of snoring.
What Is Dust?
Dust that gathers and collects around your home is made up of human skin, dirt tracked in from outside, airborne particles like pollen, clothing fibers and pet hair.
Dust mites are microscopic pests that feed on the dead human skin cells found in dust. An allergy to dust is not to the dust mites themselves but to the waste they produce.
According to the American Lung Association, roughly four out of five homes in the United States have detectable levels of dust mites in at least one bed.
Why Does Congestion Lead to Snoring?
An allergy to dust causes nasal congestion and makes it harder for you to breathe. There are three ways a blocked nose can lead to snoring:
- Nasal breathing creates whistling, popping or rumbling sounds
- Nasal breathing through a partially blocked nose creates suction, causing the upper airway to narrow leading to a soft-palate snore
- Nasal breathing becomes too hard so you must breathe through your mouth, which can narrow your airway and cause snoring
Asking yourself the following questions can help you determine if your snoring may be caused by a must mite allergy:
- Did your symptoms occur suddenly?
- Are you exhibiting other classic allergy symptoms such as itchy eyes or throat?
- Do you snore less when you are away from home?
- Do you have carpets and other soft furnishings in your home?
Tips for Managing Allergy-Related Snoring
Below are eight tips to rid your home of dust mites and resolve your snoring.
- Get a vacuum with a built-in HEPA filter to trap the dust mites you suck up
- Invest in an air purifier to help trap the harmful particles floating around the room
- Move your furniture around to prevent dust from accumulating
- Wash your bedding in hot water
- Cover your bed with allergy-proof bedding
- Flip your mattress and invest in a mattress protector
- Remove your carpeting
- Wipe down hard surfaces
To learn more about eliminating indoor allergens or how to treat your snoring, contact the ear, nose and throat professionals at SW Idaho ENT today.