December 22nd, 2009
Stop Loud Snoring
Snoring can affect any person at any time. But, more commonly snoring affects men and woman who are overweight. Snoring is when you breathe during sleep with a rough hoarse noise due to vibration of the soft palate. (Webster). Snoring is not uncommon and there are about 45% of adults who snore occasionally, while only 25% of adults are considered to be habitual snorers.
Snoring is not considered a very serious problem even though it can be irritating to those sleeping in the same bed. However, the 25% of adults who are considered to be habitual snorers not only disrupt their own sleep but their partners as well. Habitual snorers always sleep while asleep and usually wake up tired after what seems like a good night’s rest. Usually medical assistance is needed in order for habitual snorers to get a good night’s rest.
What Causes Loud Snoring?
Usually the most common culprit of snoring is an obstructed air way. This is where air moves through such as your mouth or nose, and if these areas are blocked in some way, it can cause snoring. This is caused by the vibrations caused by your throat while you breathe. Your airflow can be blocked by a combination of factors including:
- Obstructed airways
- Lacking muscle tone in your throat or tongue
- Large Throat Tissue
- Long soft palate or uvula
Obstructed Airways
Having blocked airways may require more effort and or energy to transport air, which can cause your tissue in your throat to draw closer together which can cause snoring. Other factors include allergies, deviated septum, or nasal polyps.
Lacking Muscle Tone in Your Throat or Tongue
You may have muscles in your throat or tongue which are too relaxed causing them to collapse which can cause them to go down into your airway. This can be due to alcohol consumption, sleeping pills, or deep sleeping. As you age your muscles will tend to relax more which can also be the cause of snoring over time.
Large Throat Tissue
The main cause of this is due to being overweight. The more weight you have the more tissue you have. Also having large adenoids or tonsils can cause a more obstructed airway in your throat.
Long Soft Palate or Uvula
This is the tissue which hangs in the back of your mouth. This tissue can significantly narrow the space between your throat and nose, and when you are asleep it can vibrate and rattle causing your airway to be obstructed which causes snoring.
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