What Causes Snoring?

Snoring happens when air cannot flow freely through the airway as you breathe in and out during sleep. When the airway is narrowed or partially blocked, breathing causes the tissues of the upper airway to vibrate, resulting in the sound you hear when someone snores. Nearly everyone snores once in a while, but for some people, it can be a chronic problem. Sometimes it may also indicate an underlying health condition.

Common causes of snoring

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a disorder in which people experience repeated pauses in breathing during their sleep due to a partial or complete collapse of the airway. 

Most people with OSA tend to snore, but when left untreated, OSA could lead to adverse health complications. It’s commonly associated with depression, high blood pressure and heart disease. Sleepiness during the day is also a common effect of this sleeping disorder. 

Alcohol and sedative medication

Whether you have a single glass or several, any amount of alcohol could impact your sleep and cause you to snore. 

Snoring is typically caused by a blockage of one or more of the air passages in the nose, back of throat or in the mouth. When drinking alcohol, the muscles in these specific areas can become relaxed and can no longer keep your airways open and clear. As you breathe throughout the night, the air forces its way through the tight airways. The force and pressure result in the snoring sound. This is known as “respiratory resistance”. 

Chronic snorers (including those with OSA) often experience more severe snoring if they consume alcohol or any sedative medication. To promote better sleep, doctors often recommend avoiding any alcohol or sedative medication hours just before bed. 

Smoking

Smoking is another risk factor for snoring. It’s suggested by researchers that smokers tend to snore due to the irritating smoke from cigarettes, cigars, and pipe tobacco - all of which cause inflammation of the tissue that lines the airway. This may then lead to swelling and congestion, causing an excess of mucus, often referred to as post nasal drip and narrowing. The disruption of your upper airways, especially your nasal passage and throat, may result in airway congestion. As oxygen forces itself through the tight airways, it causes vibration, leading to the loud noises of snoring.  

Being overweight

Being overweight and having extra fat tissues on your neck can cause a smaller airway size and increased vulnerability to the collapse of the airway. A study found that people who lost weight had experienced less frequent episodes of snoring. 

Head and neck anatomy 

The size and form of certain structures could impact how air flows through the airway and lead to snoring. People who have a deviated septum are more prone to episodes of snoring, where the wall between nostrils is bent or skewed to one side. 

Additionally, tissue growth in the nasal passage (called polyps), having a small jaw and having an enlarged tongue or tonsils can increase the likelihood of snoring. 

Treatment for people who have one of these anatomical causes of snoring involves surgery and dental devices. The purpose of these treatments is to increase the flow of air in the airway passage during sleep. 

Chronic nasal congestion

Allergies and infection are the most common causes of nasal congestion, along with other contributors like dry air or having a deviated septum. When symptoms of allergies or infections persist over time, it leads to chronic nasal congestion and habitual snoring. A study has found that those who suffered from chronic nasal congestion were three times more likely to be a habitual snorer.

Aging

Snoring is commonly associated with people of older ages. As we age, the tongue and muscles that surround the airway may become weaker, leading to blockages in our airways, which can result in snoring. 

Key takeaway 

There are many possible causes of chronic snoring. Often it’s harmless, but if your snoring is bothering you or a partner, disrupting your sleep, or you’re worried it could be a sign of an underlying health condition, it’s important to seek medical attention and treatment.  

IF YOU’RE EXPERIENCING PERSISTENT DISRUPTIONS TO YOUR SLEEP, CONSULT WITH A PHARMACIST OR TRUSTED MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL TO DISCUSS POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS.

Any advice provided in this content is of a general nature and does not take into account your objectives, health or needs. The information in this post is not intended to substitute medical advice, diagnosis or treatment and should not be exclusively relied on to diagnose or manage a medical condition. You need to consider the appropriateness of any information or general advice we give you, having regard to your personal situation, before acting on our advice or purchasing any over-the-counter sleep product.