We have all witnessed someone snore at some point in our lives. But have you ever stopped to wonder why people snore? A person snores when the airflow to their airways is restricted during their sleep.
This may be due to a number of reasons such as a person’s body anatomy, weight, sleeping position, or certain behaviors such as alcohol consumption or smoking.
While snoring usually isn’t considered a medical issue, in some cases, snoring may indicate a serious health concern. Understanding what causes snoring can help you find out whether your snoring is harmless or whether it is something you need to be worried about.
What Are The Common Causes Of Snoring?
Snoring occurs when air is unable to pass freely through your airways. As a result, the tissues present in your upper airways vibrate, creating the sound that others can hear when you snore. There may be a number of reasons that can cause your airways to be blocked. Here are some of the most common causes of snoring:
- Alcohol Consumption
Consuming alcohol late in the day is one of the most common causes of snoring in adults. Alcohol relaxes the muscles supporting the tissues around your airway, leading to a restricted airway. Ask someone to note whether you snore or not on the nights that you drink alcohol and the nights that you don’t. If their observations tell you that you snore only on the nights you had alcohol, avoiding alcohol in the hours before you go to sleep may help reduce snoring significantly.
- Smoking
Smoking is also a common cause of snoring in adults. Smoke causes inflammation to the tissues that line your upper airways. Consequently, your airways are constricted leading to snoring when you sleep. If you’re a smoker who snores, consider quitting smoking to relieve yourself from nights of smoking. While it may take time, evidence has shown that quitting smoking can improve snoring significantly.
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Another reason why you may be snoring is sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a sleep-related breathing disorder caused by the repetitive collapse of your upper airways during slumber. Those affected by obstructive sleep apnea tend to pause breathing throughout the night due to the collapse of their airways. However, when they start to breathe again, it can sound like they are gasping for air or are snoring.
- Sleeping Position
Your sleeping position can not only determine the quality of sleep that you get but also whether or not you will snore at night. Evidence suggests that sleeping on your back’s support can cause the tissues around your airways to pull downwards, making them narrower. Simply changing your sleeping position can help you relieve yourself from your snoring. If you sleep on your back, consider sleeping on your side instead to reduce the frequency and intensity of your snoring.
- Obesity
Being overweight is another common cause of snoring. As extra fat accumulates in your neck, it places extra pressure on your airways, reducing their size and increasing the chances of your airways collapsing while you are sleeping. Studies suggest that burning extra fat can help reduce snoring while losing an even greater amount of weight can even eliminate snoring completely.
- Age
As you grow old, the muscles of your throat and your tongue tend to weaken. As these muscles relax, they restrict the flow of air into your airways, leading to snoring problems. Throat, neck, and mouth exercises can help reduce the intensity of snoring caused due to old age.
- Head and Neck Anatomy
The anatomy of your head and neck may also be one of the causes of snoring. The size and shape of certain structures such as your throat, palate, and nostrils can also constrict your airways leading to snoring issues. Having a large tongue, deviated septum, thick palate, and even nasal polyps – all can contribute to snoring.
Snoring due to anatomical causes can be treated either surgically or via anti-snoring oral appliances that aim to increase the flow of air to your airways.
- Medications
Certain medications such as sedatives can also cause snoring by relaxing the muscles around your airways. If you snore only when you take these medications, you know that they are the cause of your snoring problems and that you should only take them when absolutely necessary. Consult a doctor today if you think your prescribed medications are the reason you are snoring.
- Hypothyroidism
Reduction in the production of the thyroid hormone, or hypothyroidism, can also lead to snoring. People with underperforming thyroid glands suffer from sleep apnea. Other symptoms of hypothyroidism include a hoarse voice, slow speech, a puffy face, dry skin, and thinning hair. If you think that you have a consistent snoring problem and are experiencing any of these other symptoms, contact a doctor and get tested for hypothyroidism today.
- Nasal Congestion
Having a stuffy nose due to a cold, allergies, or some other reason may also cause snoring by reducing the amount of air that reaches your airways. If these conditions persist over a long period of time, your nasal congestion can become chronic, resulting in regular snoring.
If you feel that you have a congested nose, consider contacting an ear, nose, and throat specialist to help you with your snoring problems.
Final Thoughts
Periodic snoring due to a cold or old age is harmless. However, snoring loudly and frequently can be an indication of a more serious malady such as obstructive sleep apnea.
If you’re someone who snores and experiences any of the other symptoms of sleep apnea, talk to your local healthcare provider. A healthcare provider can best evaluate your condition and give you advice on how you can cure snoring.
