What Causes Snoring & How to Stop it?

Snoring could be considered either a respiratory or a sleeping condition as it involves breathing but occurs only during sleep. Snoring occurs when air flow is obstructing during sleep, which creates a vibration in the tissues of the throat and mouth, and this makes the snoring sound. Snoring can be a symptom of underlying problems, though it can be an isolated issue with no medical relevance. It can also be a problem for family members who are kept awake or woken by the snoring, as it deprives them of a full night of restful sleep. There are a variety of causes and treatments for snoring which are discussed below.

Causes

Snoring can be caused by muscular weakness in the throat, nasal obstruction, and excess tissue (such as fat) around the throat.

Health Consequences

Consequences of snoring can range from none to sleep deprivation, hypoxia (insufficient oxygen in the body), and hypertension.

Non-Surgical Treatments

Some of the non-surgical treatments for snoring include weight loss, avoidance of depressants (alcohol, antihistamines, pain killers), and sleeping on your side. There are also a variety of devices available that are reputed to help alleviate snoring, including mandibular advancement splints (a dental appliance that adjusts jaw position). A final, non-surgical option called CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) involves wearing a mask to bed and having a controlled stream of air forced into the respiratory system.

Surgery

There are a variety of surgeries that can be used to widen the airway. The surgeries range from a simple tonsillectomy to using radio frequency energy to shrink tissues in the throat.

Considerations

Since snoring can be indicative of other, more severe problems, it should not be ignored as a personal quirk. It should be discussed with a physician to ascertain whether or not the snoring is a symptom of an underlying condition.