Snoring is a common phenomenon that occurs when a person's airway becomes partially blocked or narrowed during sleep, which makes it difficult for air to flow freely. The sound of snoring comes from the vibration of the tissues in the upper airway as the person breathes.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea - A Common Breathing Disorder

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a common breathing disorder that affects many adults between the ages of 30 and 60. Habitual snoring is a common symptom of OSA, which is observed in around 44% of males and 28% of females in this age group. However, not everyone who snores has OSA.

OSA is caused by partial or complete collapse of the airway during sleep, leading to repeated lapses in breathing. People with OSA tend to snore loudly, followed by periods of silence when breathing stops. When they resume breathing, it can sound like gasping or snorting. OSA often goes undiagnosed, which can lead to adverse health outcomes such as depression, high blood pressure, and heart disease.

In addition, OSA can compromise sleep quality, leading to excessive sleepiness during the day. This can be dangerous, as it can cause accidents while driving or at work. However, the good news is that treatment for OSA is available, and it can successfully resolve symptoms and reduce the risk of harmful health effects.

Treatment for OSA includes the use of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices, lifestyle changes, dental devices, and surgery. With proper diagnosis and treatment, people with OSA can experience better sleep quality, improved health outcomes, and a better quality of life.

• Alcohol and sedative medication

  Alcohol and sedative medications can make you snore by relaxing the muscles that support the tissue around your airway after you drink. This relaxation can cause the airway to narrow and vibrate, leading to snoring. To reduce snoring, doctors suggest avoiding alcohol and sedative medications in the hours before going to bed. While there hasn't been a formal study on this approach, some people have reported benefits from doing so. Chronic snorers, including those with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), may experience more severe snoring.
  
  

• Smoking

  Smoking can make snoring worse. Researchers don't know exactly why, but they think it might be because smoking causes swelling and inflammation in the upper airway. If you quit smoking, your snoring may improve, but it could take a while. A study found that people who quit smoking still snored a lot for a few years, but eventually their snoring went down to the same level as people who never smoked.
  
  

• Head and neck anatomy

  The anatomy of our head and neck can affect our breathing during sleep and cause snoring. Certain structures, such as a deviated septum (a bent or skewed wall between nostrils), polyps (growths in the nasal passages), small jaw, or enlarged tongue/tonsils can all contribute to snoring.
  There are treatments available for people with these anatomical causes of snoring, including surgery and dental devices. The goal of these treatments is to increase the airflow in and out of the airway during sleep. While these treatments have been shown to be effective for some patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), more research is needed to understand their effectiveness for people who snore but do not have OSA.
  
  

• Chronic nasal congestion

  Chronic Nasal Congestion is a condition where you have a stuffy nose for a long time, even during sleep. This can cause snoring because the air flow through your airway is reduced and the airway may collapse. The most common causes of nasal congestion are allergies or infections, but it can also be caused by being in a dry air environment or having a deviated septum. When these conditions last for a while, nasal congestion can become a chronic issue, leading to habitual snoring. A study found that middle-aged adults who experienced severe nasal congestion at night were three times more likely to snore habitually. The treatment for snoring due to chronic congestion depends on the cause, but may include using nasal decongestants or nasal steroids to relieve the congestion.
  
  

• Sleeping position

  Your sleeping position can affect snoring. Snoring happens more when you sleep on your back, which is also known as the supine position. This is because when you're lying on your back, gravity causes the tissues around your airway to fall, making the airway narrower. Research has shown that snoring can decrease when you sleep on your side, also known as the lateral position.
  
  

• Unhealthy weight

  There are different ways to encourage side sleeping, which is known as positional therapy, and can help reduce snoring and sleep apnea. This can include using a special pillow designed to keep your head to the side, wearing a modified nightshirt, or using positional alarms. Research suggests that using a lateral sleep pillow can also help decrease snoring.

  Carrying extra weight can affect the size of the airway in your neck and make it more likely to collapse during sleep, which can cause snoring and sleep apnea symptoms. Losing weight can help to improve these issues, particularly for people who are overweight.
  
  

• Ageing

  As we age, our sleeping habits can change, and one common change is an increase in snoring. This can happen because the muscles around our airway, including the tongue, may become weaker. However, there is a type of therapy called myofunctional therapy that can help strengthen these muscles. By doing exercises that target the mouth and throat, we can potentially reduce snoring caused by weak muscles. Studies have shown that people who engage in myofunctional therapy may experience less intense and frequent snoring.
  
  

• Hypothyroidism

  Hypothyroidism is a health condition where the thyroid gland in your body doesn't work properly, and doesn't produce enough thyroid hormone. This can cause a variety of symptoms, including a swollen face, a deep or hoarse voice, slow speech, a slower than normal heartbeat, and even snoring. In a recent study, researchers found that all of the patients with hypothyroidism who were studied also snored. If you have hypothyroidism, your doctor may prescribe medication to replace the missing thyroid hormone and help manage your symptoms.

When should you consider seeing a doctor about your snoring?

Are you wondering if you should talk to a doctor about your snoring? Snoring could be a sign of sleep apnea, which is a serious medical condition that may require treatment. Here are some signs that you should talk to a doctor if you snore:

• You have pauses in breathing during sleep followed by choking, snorting, or gasping sounds

• You wake up frequently during the night

• You feel very sleepy during the day

• You have headaches in the morning

Sometimes, people who snore don't even realize they're doing it. It may be helpful to talk to a doctor if your snoring is affecting your partner's sleep and you want to find ways to stop it.