The sound of snoring occurs when there is an obstruction to airflow through the back of the mouth and nose. This is where the tongue meets the soft palate and the uvula.
When these structures collide with each other, a vibration is produced during breathing, generating the typical sound of snoring.
Snoring is more common in men and overweight people and worsens with age.
Causes of snoring
The causes can be very varied. They can affect people who don't take care of themselves and have a poor quality of life, such as alcohol consumption or being overweight , or even respiratory illnesses that can affect people from a young age. If the cause is the latter, they should be monitored by a specialist who will prescribe appropriate treatment.
- Problems in the respiratory tract, mouth and throat . This occurs when we encounter the Enlarged or swollen tonsils, a narrower than normal throat, a thick palate, a tongue larger than the mouth, or abnormalities in the facial bones. The narrower the airway, the greater the vibration, and the louder your snoring. Sometimes, the walls of the throat collapse completely, becoming blocked, creating a condition called apnea (cessation of breathing). This is a serious condition that requires medical attention.
- Weakened muscle tone . Snoring occurs when air cannot move freely through the nose and mouth during sleep, and is often caused by abnormalities in the soft tissues of the throat.
- Sinusitis , allergies, and colds can cause occasional snoring.
- Consumption of alcohol, tobacco, drugs or certain medications can increase muscle relaxation which leads to more snoring.
- Overweight or obesity are some of the main causes of apnea and snoring. For most people whose body weight is above normal, the first step they should take is to lose weight. In some 50% of cases, milder forms of snoring can be resolved.
- Pregnancy and menopause . Weight gain or laxity of the neck muscles are common causes of snoring during these stages of a woman's life. The problem usually disappears once the pregnancy ends or the woman goes through menopause with all the hormonal changes it entails.
Symptoms of snoring
Usually, the loud snoring are accompanied by sleep apnea
Not all patients suffer from sleep apnea at the same time, however, if you experience one or more of the following symptoms along with snoring, you should contact an ear, nose, and throat specialist.
- Stopping breathing during sleep
- Waking up tired
- Dry throat upon waking
- Daytime sleepiness
- Morning headaches
- Concentration and memory difficulties
- Problems with sexual function
- Chest pain at night
- Excessively loud snoring
- High blood pressure
- For children: poorer school performance or difficulty concentrating
Sleep apnea is characterized by periods of silent breathing during loud snoring that occur several times a night, disrupting sleep and making it unrefreshing.
Snorers have at least one of the following problems:
- Low muscle tone in the muscles of the throat or tongue.
- Excessive development of the throat tissues.
- Excessive length of the soft palate and uvula.
- Nasal airway obstruction.
As general measures it is recommended:
- Avoid a sedentary lifestyle and exercise daily.
- Avoid using tranquilizers and antihistamines before going to bed.
- Do not consume alcoholic beverages before going to bed.
- Do not have large dinners before going to bed.
- Avoid excessive fatigue.
- Sleep preferably on your side rather than on your back.
- Place the bed at an angle, raising the headboard.
