Health Tips

Why Do People Snore?

Just about everyone snores occasionally, and normally it’s nothing you should be concerned about. 

But sometimes it does make you wonder, why do some people snore more often than others?

Snoring happens when you are not able to move air freely through your nose and throat during sleep, which makes the surrounding tissues vibrate, producing that irritating rumbling snoring sound.

You might think that it’s always the same body part vibrating, but it can actually be the tongue, soft palate, uvula, tonsillar pillars, or other areas. 

Being a regular snorer can disrupt the quality of your sleep - which leads to daytime fatigue, irritability, and increased health problems. And if your snoring keeps your partner awake, it can create major relationship problems too. 

What are the causes of snoring?

There are multiple reasons that might be the contributing factor as to why a person snores as he snoozes. Taking the anatomical standpoint, for example, snoring is usually caused by a partially closed upper airway ( the nose and throat ). 

When the neck muscles are too relaxed, the upper airway partly closes and this restricts enough air to travel through to the lungs.

Those with enlarged tonsils, an enlarged tongue or excess weight around the neck are also more prone to snoring. And structural reasons like the shape of one’s nose or jaw could also be the reason behind the late-nights loud rasps and snorts.

“No matter the reason, 40% of normal adults snore regularly, whether they realize it or not.”

But since people snore for different reasons, it’s important to understand the causes behind your snoring. And perhaps once you understand why you snore, you can find the right solutions to a quieter, good-quality, deep sleep  - for both you and your partner.

Some of the common causes of snoring includes:

• Age. As you grow older, the muscle tone in your throat decreases, and your throat becomes narrower.

• Bodyweight. Having excess weight just around your neck or throat with poor muscle tone can contribute to snoring. Losing weight can sometimes be all it takes to end your snoring.

• Anatomical structures. Men are more likely to snore compared to women due to their narrower air passages. Many didn’t know this, but physical attributes such as a narrow throat, a cleft palate, enlarged adenoids that contribute to snoring are often hereditary.

• Nasal and sinus problems. Blocked airways or a stuffy nose make inhalation difficult and create a vacuum in the throat, leading to snoring.

• Alcohol, smoking, and medications.  Alcohol intake, smoking and certain medications, eg. Diazepam (tranquilizers) can increase muscle relaxation leading to more snoring.

• Sleep positions. If you sleep flat on your back, your tongue will have the tendency to fall towards your throat and block the airway. Changing your sleep position can help.

Self-help strategies for snoring

There are plenty of proven techniques that can help eliminate snoring, but not every remedy is right for every person. So it may require patience, some changes to your lifestyle and perhaps a willingness to experiment with different solutions.

To start with, you may try these simple strategies:

• Changing your sleeping position by elevating your head about four inches

• Sleeping on your side instead of your back

• Try an anti-snoring mouth appliance to help your lower jaw and/or your tongue forward when you sleep.

• Make sure to clear your nasal passages before sleep, especially if you have a stuffy nose.

• Install a humidifier to keep your bedroom air moist.

• Engage in doing regular exercises to lose that extra weight

• Quit smoking

• Avoid alcohol, sleeping pills and sedatives

Although it doesn’t necessarily have to occur hand-in-hand, snoring can also be a clue that someone has sleep apnea, an alarming condition that prevents you from getting the healthy sleep you need to lead a refreshed, energetic life.

Speak to a sleep specialist or your doctor to help you pinpoint your specific cause and figure the best treatment plan for you.

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References:

1. Segal, J., Smith, M., Robinson, L. and Segal, R. (2019). How to Stop Snoring - HelpGuide.org. [online] HelpGuide.org. Available at: https://www.helpguide.org/articles/sleep/snoring-tips-to-help-you-and-your-partner-sleep-better.htm.

2. Resmed.com. (2019). What causes snoring and what does it mean? | ResMed. [online] Available at: https://www.resmed.com/us/en/consumer/diagnosis-and-treatment/healthy-sleep/what-causes-snoring.html.

3. Sleep.org. (2019). What Causes People to Snore | Sleep.org. [online] Available at: https://www.sleep.org/articles/why-people-snore/.

Image credits:

1. https://www.resmed.com/content/dam/SleepVantage/images/articles/what-is-sleep-apnea-articleimage-image2.png

2. https://peakentandvoicecenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/snoring.png

3. https://anatomy-medicine.com/uploads/posts/2016-11/1478343555_snoring-and-sleep.jpg

4. https://www.toodlehub.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/2018-02-27_21h30_00-e1519776155914.png

5. https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/images/gettyimages-506933389-1536865152.jpg?resize=480:*

6. https://snoringdevicesaustralia.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Smoking-makes-snoring-worse.jpg

Written By

Dr. Jeanrette J. Nierras

Reviewed By

Doc2us Medical Board