Understanding Snoring: Causes, Risks & Solutions

Snoring is not an illness, but is a symptom of other health problems, like sleep apnea. According to the Wisconsin Sleep Cohort Study, about 44 percent of men and 28 percent of women are frequent snorers.

Cause

• The sound of snoring is caused by the vibrations in the structures of the upper airway during inhalation.These structures include the tongue, soft palate and uvula. Membranous structures without the support of cartilage are all susceptible to vibrating in the airway.

Effect

• Sleeping causes your upper airway muscles to relax, which in turn can make the airway space smaller, limiting air flow and increasing turbulence. This combination then causes the sound of snoring.

Considerations

• Snoring seems to increase with back sleeping as the air flow is more restricted when laying on the back. Snoring may improve with side sleeping or sleeping in a propped up reclined position to help open up the airways and reduce vibrations.

Remedies

• Opening the nasal passages with bandages, reducing airway inflammation caused by smoking, and changing sleep position are easy ways to reduce anatomical-related snoring problems.