The causes of snoring vary from person to person, depending on age, habits, and any health issues that may arise.
Causes of Snoring
Alcohol Consumption
According to WebMD, consuming excessive alcohol before sleep can lead to snoring. Alcohol relaxes the throat muscles more than the chest muscles, which are used for breathing. Additionally, alcohol reduces the body’s natural defenses against airway obstruction—a common cause of snoring.
Chronic nasal congestion can increase the risk of snoring.
Nasal Issues
Chronic nasal congestion or a deviated septum can contribute to an increased risk of snoring. Additionally, when you have a cold or allergies, the inside of your nose swells. This reduces the space in your nasal cavity, requiring you to work harder to breathe in air. This can cause the tissues at the back of the throat to vibrate, leading to snoring. Turbinate hypertrophy is another condition that can increase the risk of snoring due to inflammation, blocking airflow.
Sleeping Position
According to the Cleveland Clinic, snoring often occurs most frequently and loudly when sleeping on your back due to the gravitational effect on the throat, which narrows the airway. In a supine position, gravity allows the tongue to fall back into the throat, restricting airflow. Additionally, the tissues at the back of the throat can sag, causing airway obstruction.
Fatigue
People are more likely to experience nasal congestion when fatigued. Fatigue reduces muscle tone, making throat tissues softer and producing more noise, especially during sleep.
Adults Over 55
As we age, the effects of gravity can become more pronounced. Muscles weaken, and previously active throat tissues begin to sag. After the age of 55, the tongue also becomes lazier. You lose nerve energy in the tongue, making it difficult to keep it out of the throat while sleeping.
Smokers are twice as likely to snore compared to non-smokers.
Weight Gain and Obesity
In some individuals, fat accumulates at the base of the tongue or the back of the throat. This narrows the throat. The larger the circumference of the neck (40-43 cm), the greater the risk of sleep apnea and snoring.
Pregnancy
During pregnancy, the level of progesterone in the body increases. This hormone supports the developing fetus but can also cause nighttime noise. It leads to swelling of the membranes, resulting in nasal congestion and snoring.
Smoking
Smokers are twice as likely to snore compared to non-smokers. Tobacco smoke irritates the mucous membranes of the nasal cavity and throat, causing swelling and inflammation. This leads to obstruction, making it difficult to breathe through the nose. Those exposed to secondhand smoke are also at risk of snoring.
