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Contrary to popular belief, snoring is not a health condition in and of itself, but rather a symptom with various underlying causes. If you're searching for snoring relief, finding the root cause is crucial for success.
So, does a humidifier help with snoring?
The answer is yes, but it's most effective when the cause of snoring is upper respiratory illness or allergies.
Essentially, snoring is caused by some form of obstruction in your nasal passage, whether it's
- sleep apnea
- allergies
- respiratory problems
- dry throat or nose
- obesity
- sleep position
- or alcohol.
Although a humidifier can provide some relief from the symptoms of dry skin, it is not a one-size-fits-all solution for treating the condition.
If dry air is the cause of your snoring, a humidifier may be especially helpful.
But, if your sleeping position is the culprit, an adjustable bed may be the answer for snoring. By adjusting the position of your head or sleeping in a zero-gravity position, you can reduce the risk of snoring.
Even if dry air isn't the cause of your snoring, a humidifier is still a great idea. Maintaining a relative humidity level of 40-60% in your room is essential for good health.
Dry air can attract allergens, impede breathing, and create more mucus in the respiratory tract. With the right humidity levels, you'll breathe easier and reduce your chances of snoring.
How to pick the right humidifier that helps with snoring
Choosing a humidifier may look easy to first-timers, but if you don't know how to choose the right one for your needs you will end up with the wrong one. People often complain about mildew or mold growing or costly filter replacements.
Let us look into the things you need to know before buying a humidifier.
Type of Humidifiers
Pick up the right type is the most critical factor. There are two types of humidifiers.
Cool mist humidifier: They are the most popular type and it uses cold water to increase the moisture level in the air. They are further two subtypes: evaporative humidifiers and ultrasonic humidifiers.
In the evaporative type, the water is pulled through the wick and a fan is used to disperse water in the air. On the other hand, the ultrasonic humidifier creates tiny water droplets in the air using high-frequency vibrations.
These are preferred in homes with pets and children due to the usage of cold water but they can develop molds, bacteria, and fungi if they are not cleaned at regular intervals. Also, the noise of the fan in an evaporative humidifier can an issue for a few people.
The energy consumption is minimal as compared to the warm mist unit.
Warm mist humidifier: They use a heating element to boil the water and disperse steam into the air. Hence there is always a risk of burns in case the water gets spilled over. As heating requires more power so it can be a bit costly to use.
Although it has its own advantages as hot water does not allow mold growth or bacteria. Additionally, the absence of a fan makes them silent operators.
Coverage
Always look for the amount of air coverage it will provide. A bigger room will require a device with a bigger fan for better coverage.
Filter Cost
Initial costs for a humidifier can be lower than others, but it will make up for its low price with expensive filter replacements. Therefore, make sure you check the cost of filter replacements.
Water Tank Size
Frequent topping up of the water tank can be cumbersome so opt for one with a bigger water tank as they tend to get empty within a few hours. Ideally, you will need them to last throughout the night.
Noise
The noise of the fan of a humidifier may not noticeable during the day but it can disrupt your sleep at the night. A quieter model is what we recommend hence avoiding the evaporative type.
Top recommendation
AquaOasis™ Humidifier
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