Understanding Snoring Causes and Symptoms

Medically reviewed by: Dr. Tom Babu, Medical Director - Written by Riya Yacob - Updated on 09/09/2024

Snoring is the noise that happens when air moves past relaxed throat tissues which make them vibrate when you breathe. Almost everyone snores sometimes, but for some, it can be a regular issue. Snoring can also signal a more serious health problem and can disturb partners’ sleep. You can try some lifestyle changes to help reduce snoring like losing weight, avoiding alcohol before bedtime and sleeping on your side. There are also medical devices and surgeries that can help some people with severe snoring but they are not needed for everyone. Continue reading to know why do people snore?

What are the Symptoms of Snoring?

Snoring can be linked to a sleep problem called obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Not everyone who snores has OSA but if you also have other symptoms of snoring given below, it is a good idea to see a doctor. They can check if you might have this condition.

• Breathing stops during sleep
• Feeling very sleepy during the day
• Hard to focus
• Waking up with headaches
• Sore throat in the morning
• Sleep feels restless
• Gasping or choking while sleeping
• High blood pressure
• Chest pain at night
• Loud snoring wakes up partner
• Kids may have focus and behavior problems

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) often causes loud snoring and pauses in breathing when you sleep. These pauses can make you wake up suddenly sometimes with a loud snort or gasping sound. Because of this, your sleep may be light and interrupted. This pattern of stopping breathing can happen many times during the night. People with OSA usually experience breathing slowdowns or stops at least five times each hour while they are sleeping. This disruption can lead to feeling tired during the day.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a condition where people snore and have trouble breathing when they sleep because their throat muscles relax and block their airway. This causes them to wake up often which lead to poor sleep. OSA can lower oxygen levels in the body which makes the brain signal the body to breathe harder to clear the blockage. This condition can affect sleep quality and increase the risk of serious health problems like high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, stroke and depression.

What are Snoring Causes?

The snoring causes can be many like the shape of your mouth, drinking alcohol, allergies, having a cold or being overweight. When you move from light sleep to deep sleep, the muscles in your throat and tongue relax. This can make your airway smaller which cause the air to push through harder. As the air flows more forcefully, it causes the throat tissues to vibrate. The more the airway gets tighter, the louder the snoring can be.

Mouth Anatomy

Having a small chin, short neck or thick soft palate or being overweight can make the airway smaller. A long uvula (the tissue at the back of the mouth) can block airflow and cause snoring.

Alcohol Consumption

Drinking too much alcohol before bed can relax the throat muscles. This makes it easier for the airway to get blocked and can lead to snoring.

Nasal Problems

If someone has ongoing nasal congestion from allergies or a crooked septum, it can make it harder to breathe normally which contribute to snoring.

Sleep Deprivation

Not getting enough sleep can relax the throat muscles more which make snoring worse.

Sleep Position

Snoring tends to be louder when a person sleeps on their back because gravity can push on the throat and narrow the airway.

When to See a Doctor?

If you have any symptoms of snoring, see your doctor. It might mean you have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). If your child snores, talk to their doctor, too. Kids can also have OSA. Problems with their nose or throat like big tonsils and being overweight can make their airway narrower which lead to OSA. But not all people who snores have OSA. Thus, it is important to rule out your condition. It is vital to get help for both adults and children if you notice these signs.

Conclusion

If you snore a lot and it disrupts your sleep especially if you feel tired, cranky, have headaches or wake up gasping for air, it is a good idea to see the right doctor. They can help find out why do people snore and recommend the right treatment.

You can consult a group of doctors at Silverline hospital for this condition. We will help you to rule out your condition with several tests. Our doctors also have the right treatment to get out of this situation.