Snoring, or the sound of noisy breathing during sleep, can be caused by a number of health conditions. It may even be a symptom of a serious disorder called sleep apnoea.
Children and adults between the ages of 40 and 60 are most commonly affected by snoring with it being thought to be more prevalent in males.
If medical examination rules out any underlying disease or health condition, the most common causes of snoring are:
being overweight
drinking alcohol
smoking
The characteristic sounds of snoring are made when the soft tissues at the back of the palate vibrate. Most people do not consider snoring to be a significant health problem but the disturbance and loss of sleep caused by snoring can be distressing to those affected and their partners.
Vibration of the soft palate may be caused by an obstruction or narrowing of the passage leading from the back of the nasal cavity to the throat the nasopharynx.
This obstruction can occur for a number of reasons the most common being when an individual is overweight. Those who sleep on their backs may also find that their snoring worsens as the nasopharynx is more likely to become blocked or partially blocked when the body is in this position.
When the tissues of the soft palate become relaxed or swollen this can also lead to snoring as they collapse into and narrow the nasopharynx passage. This tissue becomes relaxed as a result of drinking alcohol or taking sedatives and it becomes swollen as a result of a throat infection or irritation caused by tobacco smoke.
Of course the common cold has a part to play in snoring too. The common cold causes nasal congestion which in turn blocks or partially blocks the nasal passageways leading to very noisy breathing, particularly when the sufferer is asleep.
Occasionally, the wall of cartilage that is the physical structure separating the two nostrils called the nasal septum is slightly misshapen or off centre. This is called a deviated nasal septum. Such anatomical abnormalities obstruct the passage of air and often lead to snoring too. This is more commonly the cause of snoring in men than women as it often occurs as the result of injury sustained in a contact sport and it is the males of the species who are more likely to participate in such sports.
Snoring in children usually occurs as a result of an infection in and associated enlargement of the tonsils tonsillitis or adenoids.
If snoring is thought to be caused by sleep apnoea it is essential that medical advice is sought, otherwise there are a number of self help measures that may bring relief to sufferers (and their partners.)
By making it uncomfortable to sleep on their backs, those who snore can be encouraged to sleep on their sides or front. This can be achieved by sewing a small object into the back of their nightwear a tennis ball is often suggested for this purpose.
As with most health conditions nowadays, the first thing to consider is whether any excess weight is being carried. If so, it will be helpful to lose the extra weight as this will reduce the flabbiness of the soft palate and reduce the snoring. (There are of course numerous other health benefits too).
