Causes of Snoring

For most people, snoring is not a major problem, and most people snore at least occasionally. Being overweight is a major contributor to snoring. As well, snoring tends to increase, in both intensity and frequency as we age. It has long been believed that men are more likely to snore than are women … just ask any wife. However the truth may be quite different.

It is recognized that snoring is not very ladylike and as a result may women tend to seek help for symptoms that do not present the real problem. Due to embarrassment or even shame, many women hide the condition when consulting their doctor and therefore it is often mis-diagnosed. Research has shown that women are also more likely to rely on over the counter resources for relief as opposed to seeking medical advice.

During sleep, the muscles in the throat relax, causing a narrowness of the passage from the nose to the throat. As a result, when breathing, air enters a narrow passage flows faster than normally. This causes the tissues of the palate and the uvula to vibrate resulting in snoring sounds.

The causes of snoring are many and diverse, but in all cases it is the narrowing of the air passageways that will likely cause it.

A principal cause is obesity. Overweight individuals typically have more fatty tissue in the throat which results in a narrower air passage. Physical conditions also contribute to snoring …conditions such as a deviated septum, enlarged tonsils or adenoids and a long tongue among others.

Various substances, when ingested, will also cause throat muscles to relax and limit air movement. Principal amongst these substances are alcohol and various drugs. Asthma and/or smoking can also increase the chance of one snoring.
Sleeping on one’s back often causes the tongue to fall to th back of the mouth, again limiting the airway passage.