According to research by the Yale School of Medicine, up to 90 million Americans admit to snoring occasionally, with 37 million of them experiencing it on a regular basis.
Snoring is the noisy breathing sound that happens when the airway is partially blocked during sleep. The snoring sound is provoked by the tissues in the throat that vibrate. Excessive snoring may impact a spouse’s sleep.
Snoring: Definition, Epidemiology and Types
Snoring is a loud, hoarse, or harsh breathing sound that occurs during sleep. It is caused by the vibration of soft tissues in the throat due to obstruction or narrowing of the airway. Snoring is more common among men – according to the 2023 Snoring and Sleep Report, about 44% of adult men snore. Snoring is also very frequent among obese individuals – 42% of obese people experience snoring, while only 27% of those with a normal BMI do. It can impact the bed partner’s sleep and even, that of a snorer itself. Moreover, it causes many couples to sleep in separate rooms and often leads to divorces or breakups.
Types of snoring
- Light snoring: soft, gentle snoring that doesn’t disrupt sleep much.
- Primary snoring: Basic snoring without serious health issues.
- Snoring related to obstructive sleep apnea: serious snoring linked to a serious sleep disorder where breathing is repeatedly blocked during sleep.
Severe snoring often results in obstructive sleep apnea. Snoring may impact an individual’s mental condition during the day, necessitating medical attention. The principle of snoring treatment aims to cure the primary condition and adjust the individual’s living habits.
What is the Difference Between Snoring and Sleep Apnea?
Snoring is just noisy breathing during sleep, while sleep apnea involves breathing interruptions that can seriously affect health.
The image above illustrates the difference in the airway between normal snoring and sleep apnea. During simple snoring, the airway is partially blocked, leading to vibration of the throat tissues. In sleep apnea, the airway is either completely or significantly blocked, causing breathing to repeatedly stop during sleep.
Causes of Snoring
When snorers sleep, the muscles in their throat relax, and the tongue slips back into our mouth. Snoring occurs when something blocks air from flowing freely through the mouth and nose. When they breathe, the walls of their throat vibrate, causing the sound of snoring.
9 Lifestyle and physiological causes of snoring
- Obesity: Extra neck tissues from being overweight can squeeze airways and cause snoring.
- Stuffy nose: Cold or allergies can block air passages, causing snoring.
- Pregnancy: Swollen tissues in the last month of pregnancy can lead to snoring.
- Smoking: Long-term smoking in adults can aggravate snoring problems.
- Sleep position: Sleeping on your back can make snoring worse due to throat muscles relaxing.
- Sleep deprivation: Not getting enough sleep can relax throat muscles and cause snoring.
- Aging: Throat muscles weaken as you age, increasing the likelihood of snoring.
- Sleeping pills: Some sleeping pills can relax throat muscles, contributing to snoring
- Drinking alcohol: alcohol relaxes throat muscles, causing airway collapse during sleep and snoring.
Other snoring triggers
- Ear, nose, and throat diseases resulting in the narrowing of the airway can also cause snoring.
- Cold, allergic rhinitis and tonsil hypertrophy can commonly cause snoring in children. Furthermore, cold can lead to nasal obstruction and open-mouth breathing, thus causing sleep snoring.
- Sleep apnea can be considered both a cause and a consequence of snoring. Snoring is often a symptom or a sign of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
Symptoms of Snoring
- Interruptions in breathing during sleep
- Loud snoring interrupting your partner’s sleep
- Quiet vibrations
- Whistling
- Grumbling
- Rumbling
- Snorting
How is Snoring Diagnosed and When To See A Doctor?
Occasional snoring is normal and doesn’t require any special diagnosis. However, if you experience the above symptoms or your partner finds your snoring regular or annoying, you should consult a doctor. After a medical background check-up, a doctor will conduct examination to identify potential obstructions in your airways Here are some tests to evaluate the severity of snoring:
- Ear, nose, and throat examination
- The physician will then complete a sleep evaluation (or refer the individual to conduct it) for polysomnography.
- Pulmonary function examination
- Electrocardiogram examination
- Thyroid function examination
To note: a dentist should not offer to treat your snoring without a proper diagnosis by a physician.
Treatment Options
Treating snoring always starts with lifestyle changes. Here are some treatments and tips on how to stop snoring:
Lifestyle changes
- Sleep on your side instead of your back to avoid snoring.
- Use pillows of moderate height to keep your airway clear.
- Lose weight if overweight, as it can reduce throat fat and snoring.
- Quit smoking to reduce airway inflammation.
- Avoid alcohol and sleeping pills before bed, as they can worsen snoring.
- Stay hydrated as dry throat tissues can vibrate more easily, leading to snoring.
Clinical treatments
Use nasal sprays or essential oils for snoring to relieve congestion.
Oral and nasal appliances can help with simple snoring or mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea.
Thyroxine treats underlying conditions like hypothyroidism.
Surgery may be necessary for children with obstructive sleep apnea, involving tonsil or adenoid removal or correcting nasal structure.
Nasal surgery, such as septoplasty, can improve nasal ventilation.
Surgical removal of excess tissue in the throat can reduce snoring by enlarging the airway.
What Are The Complications of Snoring?
Snoring doesn’t usually have major complications. Some minor complications that are caused by snoring include:
- Toss and turn at night
- Restless sleep
- Daytime fatigue
- Waking up with a sore throat
- Headaches
Aside from that, other health conditions can increase with age alongside snoring:
- Cardiovascular Diseases
- Endocrine Diseases
- Neuropsychiatric Diseases
Similarly, if snoring is associated with sleep apnea, the potential complications include:
- Frequent awakenings during the night, often without conscious awareness.
- Disrupted sleep patterns, leading to more time spent in light sleep rather than restorative deep sleep.
- Increased strain on the heart, as chronic obstructive sleep apnea can elevate blood pressure and enlarge the heart, which may increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.
- Poor overall sleep quality, resulting in daytime sleepiness, reduced quality of life, and a higher likelihood of car accidents.
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