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Understanding Snoring - the Basics
What Is Snoring?
Most people snore occasionally. Men are 50% more likely to snore than women, and chronic snorers tend to be overweight and middle-aged. Snoring is usually not a serious problem.
Sometimes, though, snoring can signal a dangerous medical condition. The most serious is obstructive sleep apnea, which makes the snorer stop breathing for several seconds up to two minutes. This results in decreased oxygen in the blood, which can lead to headaches and fatigue at best -- and sudden death at worst. Sleep apnea is associated with a variety of other chronic medical conditions including high blood pressure, obesity, heart disease, and stroke. Research has linked snoring to diabetes.
What Causes Snoring?
Snoring is caused by vibration of the soft palate (the soft part of the roof of the mouth) as the lungs strain to inhale oxygen through obstructed airways. Typically, this occurs when the muscles that keep the airways open become too relaxed or excess tissue accumulates nearby and obstructs air flow. Any condition or substance that promotes muscle relaxation or a buildup of fatty tissue can have this effect. They include:
- Drinking alcohol.
- Taking medications such as sleeping pills, cold medicines, or antihistamines.
- Sleeping on an overly soft or large pillow, or sleeping on your back.
- Being overweight.
Obstruction of the airways can also be caused by throat or nasal deformities, such as an excessively long soft palate or uvula (the pendant-shaped tissue in the back of the throat), or a deviated nasal septum.
In children, enlarged tonsils often cause snoring. Any ailment that makes bronchial airways constrict, such as asthma, can lead to obstruction and snoring. Smoking, which irritates the airways, can also make snoring worse.
WebMD Medical Reference
