Have you ever lain in bed, laughing at the ridiculous snores coming from the other side of the bed. While snoring can sometimes be funny, after a while, it becomes annoying, especially if you are a light sleeper. This is one reason it is important to find healthy ways to cure snoring, but in order to do that, we must first discover the cause.

Snoring is often caused by collapsible parts residing at the back of our mouth that relax while we are sleeping. In this relaxed state, the air flow from our breathing causes these dangling parts near the throat to flip. This, in turn, causes the danglers to strike one another, creating a vibration and a sound: snoring.

The following are just a few of the many other factors that can cause snoring:

Excessive tissue in the throat -- It goes without saying that the more tissue you have dangling in the back of your throat, the more likely it is to rattle. This excess of tissue could be a result of abnormal tonsils or adenoids, cysts, tumors, or even being overweight.

Obstruction in the nasal passage -- Individuals who don't normally snore find that they are prone to "saw some logs" when they have a cold or are suffering from seasonal allergies.

Deviated septum - The nasal septum is the bone in the bridge of your nose that separates the nostrils. Deformities in this area may prevent proper air flow.

Breathing through the mouth - During sleep, your jaw drops, creating a space that allows the tongue to fall towards the throat. This, again, will cause a vibration, resulting in snores.

Dry and irritated nasal cavities - This is often the result of excessive use of nasal sprays and other allergy medications.

Smoking and alcohol - Both of these substances cause inflammation in the air passages, making it more difficult to breathe.

Now that we've discussed some of the causes of snoring, let's talk about some of the cures.

In the case of excessive tissues, the obvious cure would be to reduce the tissue. For some, this can be accomplished by losing weight. For others, it may require surgery, which is also used for repairing a deviated septum. If snoring is a major problem, you may want to discuss these options with your physician.

To cure mouth breathing, there are a number of good exercises you can use to train yourself to breathe through your nose.

For nasal passage obstruction, there are many products available to offer aid. Breathing strips and aromatherapy are among the options that may help you to restore better breathing.

To avoid the dryness and irritation caused by overuse of nasal sprays and allergy medications, look for natural solutions to solve your allergy or sinus problems. There are many herbal products available at your local health store that provide relief for these conditions without the irritating side effects.

As far as cigarettes and alcohol, I think the answer is obvious. These substances are not good for you, and they often cause many problems. Abstinence is your best option!

Snoring is the symptom of another problem. Your first responsibility is to find the cause. It may surprise you when you discover what is causing the snoring problem. However, sometimes snoring is caused by other more serious conditions such as sleep apnea. So, be certain you find the cause before taking action. Once you are certain of the cause, you should focus on finding the best solution. Only then will both you and your loved one get the rest that you both need and desire.