The sound of snoring has long been a fixture in comedy. But what sounds funny from afar might be serious up close. Snoring can be a problem for both you and your bed partner.
The extra effort it takes to breathe that comes with snoring can harm your sleep quality. It also increases the risks for having:
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
- Obesity
- High blood pressure
- Stroke
- Heart attack
- Irregular heartbeats
- Heart failure
People who snore six to seven nights per week may be twice as likely to be very sleepy during the day. The more a person snores, the more tired he or she may feel. And snoring may be linked to sleep apnea, a more serious health problem.
Causes of snoring
Snoring is caused by a narrowing or partial blockage of the airway at the back of the mouth and upper part of the throat. This makes soft tissues in the throat vibrate. An airway may narrow when the soft palate, tongue and throat relax during sleep. Allergies, sinus problems and being overweight may also contribute.
The larger the tissues are in your soft palate, the more likely you are to snore. Alcohol or sedatives taken before sleep can also lead to snoring because they cause those tissues to relax more.
About half of all adults snore, and half of them snore loudly and frequently. Snoring problems tend to get worse with age.
When snoring signals sleep apnea
You may have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) if you snore loudly and frequently. This disorder is marked by brief pauses in breathing when you sleep. These can last from a few seconds to minutes, and may occur over 30 times per hour. Normal breathing may resume with a loud snort, choking or gasping sound. Family members or bed partners will often notice OSA before you do.
It occurs more often in men and becomes more common with age. About one in 10 people over age 65 have it. The condition can also run in families.
Obstructed airways
During sleep your throat muscles are more relaxed. Normally relaxed throat muscles don't block your airway. With OSA, airways can be blocked or narrowed because:
- The throat muscles and tongue relax too much
- Your tongue and tonsils are larger than usual
- You're overweight (a factor in more than half of OSA cases)
- The shape of your head and neck make for a smaller airway
Since less air flows into your lungs, it can lower blood oxygen levels. This can lead to changes in the ways your body uses energy and raises your risk for obesity, diabetes and other conditions.
OSA causes you to come out of deep sleep because your body constantly jolts awake to catch a breath. You may have spent eight hours in bed, but wake up feeling like you've had only two hours of rest.
Do you have OSA?
Over 12 million U.S. adults may have OSA, but most don't know it. Just because you snore, though, doesn't mean you have it. Some signs of OSA may include:
- Morning headaches
- Memory or learning problems
- Inability to concentrate
- Feeling irritable or depressed
- Mood swings
- Personality changes
- Frequent nighttime urination
- Dry throat
It may be worth asking family members or bed partners whether they've heard you snoring loudly or having breathing problems. If the answer is "yes," then it is time to speak with a doctor.
