Snoring disrupts sleep and can have health consequences. It can be temporary, intermittent, or chronic.
Snoring can sometimes lead to social and relational issues within a couple. For all these reasons, it is essential to identify the causes behind snoring, which can sometimes be very unpleasant!
Determining the cause of your snoring can help you better understand why you feel perpetually fatigued during the day and why you experience daytime drowsiness, which is often a consequence of poor sleep.
What are the mechanisms behind snoring? What are the most common causes? How can you identify the causes? What solutions are available to combat snoring?
In this article, we will attempt to explain all these snoring-related phenomena.
Why Do People Snore? The Mechanisms of Snoring
Snoring is often caused by the relaxation of the muscles at the back of the throat, the uvula, and the soft palate during deep sleep.
Determining the cause of your snoring is crucial because this relaxation enlarges the affected organs, partially obstructing the airways. This obstruction leads to snoring.
Snoring occurs due to vibrations that happen during inhalation, causing the pharynx to vibrate.
The good news is that snoring can be treated. In most cases, the causes are linked to poor lifestyle habits, improper sleeping positions, a rich diet, alcohol consumption, smoking, or the use of sleeping pills. Sometimes, medical intervention is necessary to check for a deviated nasal septum, which can exacerbate snoring, or other anatomical issues related to the jaw or teeth that may contribute to the problem.
A healthcare professional can guide you toward an appropriate solution and may recommend treatment, such as:
- A mandibular advancement device
- An anti-snoring mouthpiece, which can provide relief
- More invasive options, such as surgery or radiofrequency treatment, if necessary
- A nasal device to help reduce or mitigate snoring
Snoring can be occasional, sometimes caused by a temporary cold. However, if snoring becomes chronic, it is referred to as "ronchopathy." A person suffering from chronic snoring snores every night, often very loudly. Snoring may also be associated with nighttime breathing pauses, a characteristic of Sleep Apnea Syndrome (SAS).
Identifying the Cause of Your Snoring
Nasal Snoring: A Blocked Nose as the Cause?
It is important to distinguish between nasal snoring and oral snoring, as they are related to different breathing patterns—either through the nose or the mouth.
Common causes of nasal snoring include:
- A deviated nasal septum
- Nasal congestion
- Narrow nasal airways
When airflow is obstructed in the nasal passages, chronic snoring occurs.
For oral snoring, it is the relaxation of the muscles at the back of the throat that causes the issue. Enlarged tonsils can also exacerbate this phenomenon.
For nasal snoring, the Back2Sleep intranasal device can help facilitate nasal breathing.
Snoring Related to Sleeping Position
- Sleeping on the back encourages tissue collapse in the throat, exacerbating snoring.
- Adopting positional therapy by sleeping on the side can help reduce snoring.
Weight and Muscle Relaxation
- Excess fat around the neck can narrow the airways.
- Weight loss and throat muscle-strengthening exercises are recommended.
Alcohol, Smoking, and Medications
To keep airways as open as possible during deep sleep, muscle relaxation must be minimized. Relaxed muscles lead to the collapse of certain structures, causing instability in the pharynx and larynx, which blocks airflow. The soft tissues of the throat, including the soft palate and uvula, begin to vibrate loudly, resulting in snoring.
In some cases, snoring is caused by anatomical abnormalities such as:
- An enlarged soft palate
- Enlarged tonsils
- An oversized tongue
Other factors that contribute to snoring include:
- Loss of muscle tone
- Weight gain or obesity
- Sleeping on the back
- Medication use
- Alcohol consumption in the evening
- Smoking
Alcohol and sedatives relax throat muscles, exacerbating snoring. It is advisable to avoid alcohol before bedtime.
Sleep Apnea: A More Serious Condition?
- Differentiating between simple snoring and sleep apnea (breathing pauses during sleep) is essential.
- Solution: Consult a specialist for a diagnosis and explore appropriate treatments.
Solutions to Reduce Snoring
Before considering medical devices to improve sleep quality and reduce snoring, which can disturb both the snorer and their partner, it is important to first eliminate the contributing factors discussed above.
The Back2Sleep intranasal device can be a potential solution worth testing. Contact the company for more details.
For persistent and particularly loud snoring, consulting a specialist such as an ENT doctor is recommended. If sleep apnea is suspected, the doctor may suggest an appropriate treatment. Obtaining a precise diagnosis is crucial.
Conclusion: Finding the Right Solution for Better Sleep
To ensure restful sleep for both the snorer and their partner, maintaining a healthy lifestyle is essential. This includes:
- A balanced and healthy diet
- Regular physical activity
- Avoiding alcohol consumption in the evening
- Quitting smoking
- Sleeping in a side position
A medical consultation can help determine the most suitable solution based on individual cases.
A doctor may recommend:
- A mandibular advancement device
- A Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine for sleep apnea
- Surgery as a last resort
If snoring is not linked to sleep apnea, various solutions can be tested, such as:
- An anti-snoring mouthpiece
- A positional therapy vest
- Nasal strips
- The Back2Sleep intranasal device
- ENT surgery if necessary
Identifying the cause of snoring is the first step. Restorative sleep contributes to overall health, making snoring an issue that should be taken seriously.
FAQs
Why do I snore now when I didn’t before?
Snoring can develop due to weight gain, aging, or health issues such as nasal congestion or sleep apnea. These factors contribute to airway obstruction, leading to snoring.
Who is most likely to snore?
Anyone can snore, including children. Some causes include enlarged tonsils or an oversized tongue. Most often, snoring occurs when airway obstruction limits airflow, leading to vibrations.
How can I stop someone from snoring?
If your partner snores, encourage them to sleep on their side, as this position helps reduce snoring. Weight loss, a healthier diet, physical activity, and avoiding alcohol, smoking, and sedatives can also help.
Does fatigue cause snoring?
Yes, fatigue can contribute to snoring. This is linked to the relaxation of muscles at the back of the throat, the soft palate, the uvula, and the tongue, which take up more space and obstruct the airways. Snoring is worsened by sleeping on the back, being overweight, or consuming alcohol before bed.
