Why do people snore?

Snoring happens when the airway is obstructed, causing the tissues in the nose, mouth, and throat to vibrate during breathing. This is often due to anatomical reasons. Many people have naturally narrow airways, large tongues, enlarged tonsils, or a long soft palate. Several other factors can increase the likelihood of snoring, including older age (as muscle tone decreases with age), medications and alcohol (which relax the muscles in the mouth and throat), a family history of snoring, allergies, or medical conditions that obstruct airflow through the nose and mouth, and obesity.

Is snoring harmful?

Snoring can affect sleep quality, causing fatigue and daytime sleepiness. It can also be a sign of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which occurs when the airway is blocked or narrowed during sleep. Prolonged OSA leads to low blood oxygen levels, difficulty concentrating, fatigue, and an increased risk of heart attack, type 2 diabetes, stroke, and high blood pressure.

When should I see a doctor?

If your snoring is loud enough to disrupt your sleep or your partner's, you should see a doctor. Often, bed partners notice snorts or gasps, and pauses in breathing associated with snoring. People who experience nighttime restlessness, frequent trips to the bathroom, or daytime fatigue should also seek medical advice.

A doctor may order sleep studies if they suspect a sleep disorder like OSA. Treatments for sleep apnea include lifestyle changes, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, or surgery. Certain prescription medications are used for people with moderate to severe sleep apnea and obesity.

Treating snoring depends on the cause. People who snore can lose weight if they are overweight, avoid alcohol and sedatives, elevate their head while sleeping, sleep on their side instead of their back, and quit smoking. Sleeping on your side prevents the soft tissues in the palate and upper throat from collapsing and blocking the airway, reducing obstruction and snoring. Quitting smoking is important because nicotine in cigarette smoke can paralyze cilia, allowing toxins to accumulate in the lungs, leading to respiratory inflammation, airway obstruction, and snoring.

Le Nguyen (According to Everyday Health)