Causes of Snoring

There are many reasons why people snore. There are reasons that we can control, while some are out
of our hands.
The following are the reasons where we cannot blame ourselves:
1. Genetic predisposition
Some people are born with an anatomy that predisposes them to snore. Narrow throats,
hypertrophied or enlarged tonsils, short necks and enlarged mandibles or jaws are often the
reasons why an individual snores.
2. Congenital deformities
People who were born with cleft palate, poliomyelitis, and muscular dystrophy are at increased
risk for snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. Abnormalities in the airway anatomy can obstruct the
flow of air as it passes through airway passages.
3. Advancing age
Many people who snore are usually diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea in their 40s and above.
This is due to increased weight and decreased muscle tone.
4. Male sex
There is a male preponderance to the incidence of snoring, which is maybe due to their narrower
air passages as compared to those of women’s.
5. Atopy
Inflammation of the airways, which occur during a colds, asthma, sinus infections or allergies, can
cause nasal congestion. The accumulated respiratory secretions block the airways, causing difficulty
in breathing. This may create a vacuum that leads to snoring.
The following are the modifiable causes of snoring:
1. Obesity
Obesity increases the adipose or fat tissues in your throat, blocking the airways. Also, obese people
have fat pads, or increased fat tissues around the neck area, making the airways narrower. This
contributes to breathing difficulties and snoring.
2. Smoking
The substances present in cigarette smoke relax the throat muscles during inhalation, predisposing
a person to snore. Also, smoking or second-hand smoke causes nasal congestion, blocking your
airways.
3. Use of alcohol
Some people choose to drink alcohol before going to bed because, as they say, it relaxes them.
However, though it can contribute to your blissful sleep, alcohol relaxes your throat muscles, more
than what is expected when you sleep. This causes airflow obstruction and snoring.
4. Use of medications
Sleeping pills and drugs that make you drowsy can decrease air ventilation and reduce muscle
tone, making you prone to snoring. These medications cause relaxation of the throat muscles as
well, causing the pharynx to partially collapse and cause airway obstruction.
5. Sleeping position
Lying in supine position causes your tongue fall back, causing further obstruction of your airways.
The obstruction narrows your airways, making you snore.