What Factors Can Lead To Snoring?
Although snoring might seem like a harmless staple of sleeping that happens to everyone, the reality is it isn't always so innocuous, not only in how it can disturb others but how it can suggest deeper-rooted issues, like sleep apnea. Patients won't know they're a snorer unless they have a nighttime companion to inform them of this fact. In order to treat snoring effectively, individuals need to know how it started in the first place. That way, they can work on undoing the habits that may be causing them to breathe abnormally and loudly.
These are some of the factors that can lead to snoring.
Sleep Deprivation
Individuals might think somebody who snores is anything but sleep-deprived, especially based on how deep in sleep they're in whilst snoring. However, they might be snoring precisely because of how little sleep they've been getting. The sounds of snoring are caused by a looseness in the throat. The fewer hours of sleep an individual who snores receives, the more of a buzz is produced. There's also the matter of how sleep deprivation will naturally make individuals more exhausted. As a result, individuals end up snoring and making it all the more difficult for their spouse or partner to fall asleep. If you've ever seen someone sleeping in all but complete silence, it's probably in part because they have a healthy sleep schedule. Individuals should make sure they are getting at least seven or eight hours of sleep per night. Depending on their needs or temperament, some individuals might need up to nine hours per night. Restoring healthy sleep levels can help make snoring a thing of the past.
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Chronic Nasal Congestion
Sleeping peacefully is largely dependent on how easily an individual can breathe. Those who have chronic nasal congestion know how much of a pain it can be to get through the day when their nose is blocked up. It can also cause individuals to snore at serious decibels, depending on how stuffed up they are. When sleeping, individuals tend to breathe in and out of their nose. But when this isn't possible, their mouth picks up the slack and leads to some serious intrusion. While some congestion is as a result of things like colds and other illnesses that affect the nasal passages, patients could also be experiencing it as a side effect of drinking alcohol or taking medications to help with other issues. Keeping the nose clear as much as possible will allow patients to better prevent snoring.
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Anatomy Of The Mouth And Nose
Sometimes, snoring is rooted in how an individual's body is designed. The anatomy of the mouth and nose can have a big influence on what happens to individuals while they sleep. Even if they look perfectly normal, there could be traits like a deviated septum, enlargened tonsils, or a lengthy uvula leading to snoring. While these attributes might be leading to snoring, there are measures individuals can take to fight back. Getting medical procedures done, such as a tonsillectomy, can help quell snoring. Individuals considering this should get in touch with their doctor and weigh which options are the best for them. The best-case scenario is the snoring doesn't have a bodily origin and can be remedied through some lifestyle changes.
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Sleeping Position
How individuals configure themselves in bed greatly affects whether or not they snore. Unfortunately, those who prefer sleeping on their back are far more likely to snore. This is because their nasal passages are far more likely to be exposed if they're sleeping on their back, leading to snoring. While sleeping on one's stomach will keep individuals from snoring, doing so is very bad for the back. The best thing to do is to sleep on one side. Transitioning to side-sleeping can be made easier through using pillows made with the express purpose of helping individuals sleep on their side. An easy modification to one's sleeping position can mean an end to snoring.
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Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea describes various conditions that negatively affect an individual's ability to get a good night's sleep. Those with sleep apnea have gaps in their breathing while asleep that keeps them from staying asleep. This leads to snoring while they sleep and restlessness the following day. Obstructive sleep apnea can originate from other health factors, such as being obese, smoking and drinking, and aging. It can also lead to problems like diabetes and depression. Special masks can be worn to help patients with sleep apnea. There are also devices patients can use in their mouth to help stop sleep apnea from occurring.
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Obesity
Obesity can increase an individual's chances of snoring. When the air isn't able to move freely through their throat and nose while they sleep, the tissues surrounding the tubes vibrate, leading to snoring. Snoring can be related to the amount of nasal and throat tissue individuals have. If there's too much floppy tissue in their throat and nose, it can drop down while they sleep, especially if they sleep on their back. This narrows the breathing passages, which is when the snoring starts. Excess fat cells can cause individuals to have too much floppy tissue. Some of this depends on the way fat is distributed throughout the individual's body as well.
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Alcohol Consumption
Alcohol consumption can worsen an individual's overall quality of sleep and make them snore. Some individuals will have a glass of wine or beer at night to help them get to sleep. While it's true that alcohol will make individuals drowsier, it won't help with their sleep in the long term. Alcohol functions as a depressant. In addition to causing the brain to relax and become sleepy, it also relaxes the muscles. An individual's throat and jaw become looser, which leads the muscles to collapse and narrow their air passages. Some individuals even develop mild sleep apnea due to the alcohol depressant effects, which means their breathing periodically stops during sleep.
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Throat Weakness
Weakness in the throat can make an individual more likely to snore. If their throat muscles aren't strong enough, they may collapse as they fall asleep. When this is combined with a narrow throat, individuals may be predisposed to louder snoring. Narrow throat passages are genetically inherited. Individuals can't do much to correct them, but they can use other methods to reduce their risk of snoring. Throat weakness may be accompanied by dysphagia, which is a difficulty with swallowing. Dysphagia often occurs alongside degenerative illnesses like Parkinson's disease. However, it may also be a temporary side effect of a less serious illness like the common cold.
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Misaligned Jaw
A misaligned jaw may cause individuals to snore because of the way it affects their throat and nasal passages. Many things can lead to a misaligned jaw. Some individuals are born with jaw conditions that lead them to have crooked jaws. If an individual is born with a crooked jaw, they may be able to have corrective surgery or manage it with lifestyle changes. Teeth misalignment can also cause an individual's jaw to become misaligned. Braces can be used to help with this. If an individual's jaw has become injured or broken, it may heal incorrectly and lead to misalignment. Another potential cause of a misaligned jaw is a temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, which is often caused by arthritis or trauma.