You can actually diagnose your own snoring problem by doing a few simple tests at home. These are the tests that a Sleep Apnea Center would start you out with. So you can find out what’s causing your snoring and find a a treatment that’s right for you.  The good news about snoring is that it most cases, snoring can be controlled.

1.  Test Your Nose

• As you’re looking into the mirror, press the side and completely close of one of your nostrils.
• With your mouth closed, take a breath in through your other nostril.
• If you see that your other nostril collapsing, prop it open with the clean end of match stick.
• If you find that you breath easier, this is more than likely what’s causing you to snore.
• If  you’re not breathing well through the nose, your nasal passages are more than likely stuffed up.

1a. Action You Can Take

Think about what may be causing your nasal passages to be clogged. It could be any number of things including seasonal allergies, feather bedding and pillows, pet hair, perfumes, cleaning products or dust mites. Try using Breathe Right Nasal Strips. You can also clear your nasal passages with some of these herbal remedies.

2.  Test Your Mouth

Open your mouth and try to make a snoring noise. Then close your mouth and again, try making the noise. If you find that you can snore with your mouth open, than your a “mouth breather”.

2a. Action You Can Take

Use a chin strap or mouth guard to encourage you to breathe correctly through your nose

3.  Test Your Tongue

Stick your tongue out as far out as possible and grip it between your teeth and try to make a snoring noise. If you find that your snoring is reduced in this position, than your a tongue based snorer.

3a. Action You Can Take

Use a mouth guard to keep your tongue in place.

4. If These Tests Don’t Work for You

If you find that you don’t fit into one of these three categories than either your soft palate and ulva are vibrating. This is often the cause in people who are a normal weight. You may also be a Multifactoral Snoring. This means that your snoring originates from several different areas. For instance you could be a tongue based snorer and a palatal flutter.


Diagnosing a snoring problem can be as simple as losing weight. More often than not, being overweight may be the culprit. Here’s an online calculator to check your Body Mass Index.  If your BMI is greater than 25 you are overweight. If your BMI is greater than 30 then you are obese. In these instances, losing weight will help you to stop snoring.