Why do I snore?

Snoring occurs when the airway becomes too narrow and air can’t pass freely. This makes the surrounding tissue vibrate. If the snoring originates in your throat, it’s usually because the throat muscles are failing to keep the airway open. If it originates in your nose, it may be due to nasal congestion or facial abnormalities.

Snoring disrupts deep, quality sleep. This makes you feel tired and irritable in the morning.

Normal breathing

Snoring

The 9 most common reasons for snoring

1. Age. People in middle age and beyond are more likely to snore.
2. Weight. Fatty deposits in your neck can reduce the space in your throat and cause snoring.
3. Large neck size. A large neck circumference (17” men, 16” women) may indicate a narrow airway.
4. Gender. Men are more likely to snore because they have narrower air passages.
5. Genetics. For example, you may have inherited a narrow
throat or enlarged tonsils.

6. Nasal or sinus issues. Nasal polyps, nasal obstruction, and chronic sinusitis are some of the conditions that cause snoring.
7. Smoking. Tobacco causes swelling in the throat.
8. Alcohol and tranquilizers. Alcohol and tranquilizers make the throat tissue and muscles relax too much.
9. Sleeping on your back. When your tongue and throat muscles relax, this may cause snoring.

Is snoring something to worry about?

It’s a threat to your relationships

A study by Rush University Medical Center revealed that snoring is the 3rd most popular reason for divorce in the U.S. While this may sound funny at first, there is a logical explanation—snoring leaves your partner sleep deprived. If this goes on for a decade, it may become a solid reason for divorce.

It can be a threat to your health, too

Just about everyone snores now and then and, most of the time, it’s nothing to worry about. However, if you are a habitual snorer and you have been told that you choke or gasp in your sleep, you may be suffering from a serious health condition called Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).

Snoring may indicate a serious health condition called Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).

Of habitually snoring adults have sleep apnea

Of habitually snoring children have sleep apnea

When to seek medical attention?

Not everyone who snores has sleep apnea but it can be a warning sign. If you experience snoring together with any of the symptoms below, you should contact a sleep specialist:

You make breathing pauses in your sleep
You have extreme daytime sleepiness and sometimes doze off unintentionally
You have morning headaches
You have excess weight or endocrine issues