Why Do People Snore: Factors Affecting a Restful Sleep
 The
sound of snoring can be highly disruptive. However, few people truly
understand what causes this involuntary noise. Not all snoring is
created by the same symptoms. In fact, there are numerous reasons a
person may snore.
By understanding the causes of snoring, one is better prepared to
treat themselves or a loved one and cure this problem.
Where does the snoring sound come from?
Snoring is the sound caused by vibrations of the soft tissue in a
person’s throat, mouth, and nose. These vibrations are the result of
some obstruction preventing air from moving smoothly through the air
passageway.
Snoring and Obstructions
Obstructions can be caused by congestion, excess tissue, or a relaxed
airway. In some cases, more than one breathing obstacle is to blame for
a person’s snoring.
i) Congestion and snoring
Congestion is perhaps the number one cause of snoring. Nasal or sinus
congestion can block a person’s airway, which makes air passage less
smooth.
ii) Allergies and snoring
Furthermore, people with untreated allergy symptoms are likely to
snore.
iii) Nasal congestion and snoring
Temporary nasal congestion from a cold can also lead to snoring.
iv) Excess tissue and snoring
Snoring can also be caused by an excess amount of tissue around a
person’s airway. Men are more prone to experiencing this than women
because they tend to have a greater amount of fat around the neck area.
v) Being overweight and snoring
Similarly, people who are obese are likely to snore due to increased
fat in the back of their throat. Additionally, overweight individuals
may lack the muscle tone necessary to keep their airway open during
sleep.
vi) Muscle relaxation and snoring
Muscle relaxation can cause a person’s airway to close while they
sleep. This also causes tissue vibration and snoring. Muscle relaxation
results from the position of the mouth and neck during sleep. For
example, if you have an overbite, your throat may adopt a more relaxed
posture. Muscles may also relax due to age or as a result of too much
fat tissue. If a person’s airway closes completely, a condition known as
sleep apnea occurs. Sleep apnea not only causes severe snoring, but it
can prevent a sufferer from experiencing a restful sleep. Each time the
air passage closes, the sleeper will likely awaken. This can happen
numerous times in a single night.
vii) Lifestyle habits and snoring - smoking and drinking
Sometimes, snoring is the result of lifestyle habits. For example,
consuming alcohol can cause muscles to relax more than usual during
sleep. Additionally, people who smoke are also more likely to snore than
non-smokers. This is because cigarette smoke can cause throat tissue to
swell and obstruct the airway.
viii) Sleeping on your back and snoring
Furthermore, sleeping on one’s back can actually exacerbate a snoring
problem and make the sound louder. When lying flat on the back, a
person’s tongue and chin are in a position that can limit the airway
opening.
ix) Sleeping with your mouth open and snoring
Finally, breathing with your mouth open can also create snoring
symptoms.
Any of the aforementioned problems can lead to temporary or chronic
snoring. In fact, approximately twenty to forty percent of all people
snore. This means an even greater percentage of people are disrupted by
this bothersome noise. Thankfully, there are numerous ways to alleviate
symptoms once you identify the cause of a snoring problem.
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