For many people, sleeping on the right side can reduce snoring compared to sleeping on the back, but it may worsen snoring compared to sleeping on the left side—especially in certain individuals.
Here’s why:
1. Airway openness
Side sleeping prevents the tongue from falling straight back into the throat. This alone often decreases snoring intensity. From this perspective, the right side is usually better than sleeping on your back.
However, some studies and sleep specialists note that the left side may keep the airway slightly more stable for certain people, particularly those with sleep apnea or reflux-related snoring.
2. Acid reflux connection
Acid reflux is a major contributor to snoring. When stomach acid moves upward, it can irritate the throat and airway, causing inflammation and narrowing that worsen snoring.
Sleeping on the right side can increase acid reflux, because of how the stomach and esophagus are positioned. Increased reflux can lead to more throat irritation overnight, which may make snoring worse—especially in people who already have GERD.
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