Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Can Diet and Exercise Cure Snoring?

Your physical fitness has an impact on almost every aspect of your life. Even those who are in relatively decent shape can often notice immediate boosts in energy, concentration, and overall well-being from losing as little as five pounds. Weight is a serious contributor to common snoring problems.

Many instances of snoring are the direct result of soft tissues in the throat that rattle and create noise as you sleep. That sound is what is known as snoring. Being overweight may cause those fatty tissues in the throat to enlarge, which restricts airflow to the lungs.

The problem with obesity and snoring, more specifically sleep apnea, is that it’s a vicious cycle you have to try to break. The worse your snoring is, the less likely you are to have a decent night’s sleep.

This means you aren’t rested when the day begins and are more likely to tire easily. Being tired all the time means you’re less likely to do the exercise that’s required to use the calories that have been consumed. An inability to exercise properly makes weight loss goals more difficult to achieve. Plus, we often munch on high-sugar sweets to get a burst of energy to help us get through the day when we’re tired.

The good news is that losing weight is a simple process. The bad news is that it isn’t easy. In order to lose weight, you must burn more calories than you take in. Most of us don’t like to feel hungry all the time and very few like to eat like rabbits. Fruits and vegetables are a great way to get the nutrients you need without filling up on empty calories. They also help you feel full longer, which is important.

You’ll also find that water is your best friend when it comes to losing weight. Drink plenty of water regularly. Water helps your body cleanse itself from the inside out and it also helps you feel full.

When you aren’t hungry or thirsty, you’re less likely to consume “empty” calories, which are those that provide few nutrients that your body needs to survive. It isn’t easy and it isn’t fun to diet, but making these healthy lifestyle changes could save your life if you suffer from severe snoring and sleep apnea.

It doesn’t have to feel like exercise when you’re trying to burn calories. Try jumping on the trampoline for 30 minutes. Riding a bicycle, walking along the riverbank, climbing a rock wall (or a real cliff), swimming, rowing, and even roller skating or bowling can burn calories.

Obesity is a killer that’s blamed for countless bad health conditions. Knowing that it impairs so many aspects of your life, it shouldn’t be surprising that it also hampers sleep - one of the most important things regarding your health and well being. You don’t have to lose all the excess weight in a matter of days, but every pound you lose puts you one pound closer to better health and a good night’s sleep.