Health Topics A-Z

What Is Snoring?

Snoring is usually not a serious problem. Men are 50% more likely to snore than women, but most people snore occasionally. Chronic snorers tend to be overweight and middle-aged.

Sometimes, though, snoring can point to a dangerous medical condition. The most serious is obstructive sleep apnea, in which the snorer stops breathing for anywhere from several seconds to two minutes. This results in decreased oxygen in the blood, which can lead to headaches and fatigue at best and sudden death at worst. Sleep apnea is associated with a variety of other chronic medical conditions including high blood pressure, obesity, heart disease and stroke. There is also research that links snoring to diabetes.

What Causes It?

Snoring is caused by vibration of the soft palate (the soft part of the mouth's roof) as the lungs strain to inhale oxygen through obstructed airways. Typically this occurs when the muscles that keep these airways open become too lax or when excess tissue accumulates. Any condition or substance that promotes muscle relaxation or buildup of fatty tissue can have this effect. They include:

• Drinking alcohol
• Taking medications such as sleeping pills, cold medicines, or antihistamines
• Sleeping on an overly soft or large pillow; sleeping on one's back
• Being overweight.

Obstruction of the airways can also be caused by nasal deformities, such as an excessively long soft palate or uvula, or a deviated septum.

In children, enlarged tonsils often cause snoring. Any ailment that makes bronchial airways constrict, such as asthma, can lead to obstruction and snoring; smoking, which irritates the airways, can also make snoring worse.