It could really depend upon the situation for each individual as to what is causing the snoring or how to remedy it. Snoring is an indication that the body is struggling to get enough oxygen. Here are a few tidbits of information or possible remedies. Some herbs may help...something like eating some fresh ginger or cloves or garlic, unless the smell would bother you. Something to open up airways. There are some natural preparations of herb formulations at health food stores and also homeopathic possibilities. Sometimes eating a lot of starchy foods prior to retiring can cause it. If certain organs of the body (like the liver or kidneys) are having a tough time, then it could reflect with snoring. Some people even do exercises during the day with the muscles in the mouth and throat in order to help counteract snoring. It strengthens some of the weaker muscles which contribute to the vibrations and closure of airways. There also is the remedial scenario "Go sleep on the couch...." Dr. Bryan Keropian in southern California offers natural, affordable alternatives to CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Therapy -- a machine with mask) and surgery.

It can help to know that snoring may be caused by the position of the head during sleep. The position of the head in relation to the body, can cause the respiratory ways to get obstructed, causing the air going thru them to cause the snore. So, it may be as simple as gently move your spouse's head during his/her sleep, or recommend him/her to sleep with only one pillow, or just to try and change his/her usual sleeping position. Also, some people snore because nose problems, some of them are birth defects (like a deviated nose bone) and some are non-natural (like the ones caused by a punch or crashing into something in the darkness). Some people bumped his/her nose against something when kids and don't even remember it. These nasal deviations or obstructions can be corrected with simple surgery. Some people even take advantage of the situation, because you are paying for it anyway, to get a nose job at the same time.

One cause of snoring is that the person is sleeping on their back, rather than on their side. A simple way to prevent yourself from sleeping on your back is to tape something to it like a tennis ball, or put a tennis ball in a bra and wear this backwards at night. This is supposed to stop snoring, although I've not tried it. It might also make the person take in more oxygen, as their breathing might improve. There is a condition called sleep apnea which is related to snoring. As someone else has pointed out in another answer, machines exist to apply positive pressure and keep the airway open (my father uses such a machine). These are expensive, and it might be a good idea to try simpler things first.

From: http://aolsvc.health.webmd.aol.com/hw/sleep_disorders/ug2415.asp What is snoring? Snoring occurs when the flow of air from the mouth or nose to the lungs is disturbed during sleep, usually by a blockage or narrowing in the nose, mouth, or throat (airway). This causes the tissues of the airway to vibrate and knock against the back of the throat, resulting in a noise that can be soft, loud, raspy, harsh, hoarse, or fluttering. Treatment Overview Snoring is treated through lifestyle modifications such as losing weight (if necessary), quitting smoking, changing sleep habits (such as sleeping on your side instead of your back), and avoiding the use of alcohol and sedatives before bed. If nasal congestion is the cause of your snoring, nasal dilators (such as nasal strips), decongestants, and inhaled corticosteroids may be used. Oral breathing devices, which push the tongue and jaw forward to improve airflow, may also be an option. If snoring continues despite these treatments, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) or surgery may be tried. However, snoring is not always considered a medical problem, so insurance may not cover treatment. Home Treatment -Losing weight. Many people who snore are overweight. Weight loss can help reduce the narrowing of the airway and possibly reduce or eliminate snoring. -Limiting the use of alcohol and medications. Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol or taking certain medications, especially sleeping pills or tranquilizers, before sleep may worsen snoring. -Going to bed at the same time each night and getting plenty of sleep. Snoring may be more frequent when you have not had enough sleep. -Sleeping on your side. Sleeping on your side may eliminate snoring. -Try sewing a pocket in the middle of the back of your pajama top, putting a tennis ball into the pocket, and stitching it closed. This will help keep you from sleeping on your back. -Promptly treating breathing problems. Breathing problems caused by colds or allergies can disturb airflow, leading to snoring. -Using nasal strips. Nasal strips, such as Breathe Right, widen the nostrils and improve airflow. Surgery Surgery for snoring is rarely used and only considered in cases of very severe snoring when other treatments have failed. Surgery is used to: -Remove excess soft tissue from the throat to widen the upper airway. This may involve removing the tonsils and adenoids and other tissues in the back of the throat (uvulopalatopharyngoplasty). -Correct an abnormally shaped wall (septum) between the nostrils or nasal polyps that block airflow through the nose. -Change the position of the bony structures in the upper airway, allowing air to flow more freely, especially during sleep. More than one surgery may be needed to make these changes.

Simple solutions rather than surgery, get to a good chemist/pharmacy that sells a contoured pillow that will change the profile of your partners throat- Also excess weight will make them snore, so if they drop weight they will let you sleep better, get more oxygen to their brain and live longer all round

Snoring,can be a sign of Sleep Apnea i.e.Disturbed sleep at night due to temporary chocking. Treatment can be; Mild sufferers should avoid alcohol,smoking,reduce weight. Sleeping on the side helps. Severe cases will need surgery or Continuous Positive Air Pressure treatment.

some people snore because they are overweight or obese so better to help them to lose weight , this will help them to snore less

Get him to go get investigated for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). It is a very common problem, but not well known. When you fall asleep your muscles relax, including those in your throat. Then fall back obstruct the airway and cause you to snore and stop breathing. Your doctor may send your husband to a sleep specialist, who will go through all the probable reasons. But if it is sleep apnea, losing weight will help, drinking less alcohol will help, not taking sedatives will help, but not fix it. There are three common therapies. The first and the best is a CPAP machine, yes they are expensive. Once you type sleep apnea into a search engine and look up all the side effects to sleep apnea they aren't looking so expensive anymore. Plus sleep apnea is a disease, so most insurances will pay for treatment. The second is surgery called UUUP (I think), much lower sucess rate. The third is an oral appliance which also has a poor sucess rate. Just based on the side effects you will find I highly recommend going to see your doctor. It has done wonders for me.

Sew a tennis ball to the middle of the back of the spouses pajama top

Indeed, there are many items you can purchase from pharmacies, ranging from adaptors to attach to the nose, to tablets, to homeopathic remedies. I guess any of those may help, but excess weight can be an issue, as well, alcohol intake, alcohol tends to relax the throat muscles, increasing the chance of snoring. being fit and active as well, will drop off the snoring, so by dropping a few kilos, and becoming much more active and fitter, should make some overall improvements.

My husband stopped snoring when he quit smoking. As simple as that!!! edited 2006-03-04 This is a question for which no single answer will work for every spouse. I shared a piece of information from my personal experience and seem to have triggered a lot of snotty remarks - are you all smokers maybe?

I READ THERE'S PILLS FOR THAT NOW, BUT ROLL HER OVER ON HER BACK WILL STOP IT IMMEDIATELY.