People of all ages may snore, but it is most common in men and overweight people. It also increases with age and may only occur occasionally or may be habitual. Usually, it is not considered serious and mainly disturbs the sleep of the bed partner of the snorer, but it can be an indication of sleep apnea which is very serious. It also disrupts the sleep pattern of the snorer, and they are often tired in the morning because they never really get good rest.

The Causes of Snoring

Snoring is caused by the physical obstruction of the air that passes through the nose and mouth during sleep. The walls of the throat vibrate because they are relaxed and possibly enlarged. The nasal passages may be partially blocked because of an allergy or sinus infection. A deviated septum or crooked wall separating one nostril from the other and nasal polyps may also block the flow of air. When the flow is blocked, extra effort is needed to breathe and this vibrates the soft tissue.

The muscle tone in the throat and tongue may be poor and become too relaxed. This can be caused by alcohol, some sleeping pills, aging and can result from deep sleep. This is why snoring increases with age.

Overweight people are more prone to snore because bulky throat tissue blocks the air passages. Children may snore because of large adenoids and tonsils.

A long soft palate and/or uvula is one of the most common reasons people snore. The opening at the back of the throat gets blocked during sleep.

Is it Unhealthy to Snore?

People who habitually snore may have obstructive sleep apnea. This can be serious because it may interrupt breathing for as much as ten seconds hundreds of times each night. This will cause the person to wake up frequently, and they may not be aware of it. A person with obstructive sleep apnea will sleep lightly to keep their muscles tense so they can breathe. When the breathing stops frequently during the night, the blood oxygen levels can become very low causing the heart to pump harder and the blood pressure to rise. The least consequences are a poor quality of life because of always feeling tired during the day. The worst consequences are high blood pressure and an enlarged heart which raises the risk of heart attack and stroke. The body gets stressed when it doesn’t get enough oxygen and produces adrenalin to fight the stressful situation. This causes blood sugar to rise and may lead to diabetes.

Snoring is a physical problem and can be cured. If it causes bed partners too much irritation, it should be dealt with and not overlooked. A diagnosis may save a life as well as make it possible to have a better quality of life for the snorer and their partner.