What causes snoring?

Everyone is affected by snoring at some time. But if you snore regularly it
can affect the quantity and quality of your sleep, leading to daytime fatigue, irritability and increased health problems. And, if your snoring disturbs your partner, it could even lead to sleeping apart. But there are many effective treatments to cure snoring.

Discovering the cause of your snoring and finding the right solution can
greatly improve your health, your relationships and, of course, your sleep.






The main cause of snoring is narrowing of the airways particularly in the throat, restricting the amount of air that you breathe. While you are asleep, the muscles at the back of your throat are at their most relaxed. As you breathe in and out these soft tissues vibrate, making you snore.

Another cause of snoring is congestion in the nasal passages which can limit or block airflow through the nose. This can be due to colds, allergies or a blocked nose, which forces you to breathe through your mouth and can lead to snoring.





Causes outside of our control

•	Age - As you age, your throat becomes narrower and the muscle tone in your throat decreases.
•	Sex - Men have narrower air passages than women due to naturally having thicker necks and are more likely to snore.
•	Physical conditions - Everyone's body is different. For example, the position of your jaw or the size of your tonsils can significantly affect whether you are likely to snore. Similarly, you might have a longer than normal uvula or a thick soft palate. Any of these factors can narrow the airway and cause snoring.

Causes within our control

•	Weight - If you are overweight, your throat tissues can be less firm and more inclined to vibrate when breathing.
•	Smoking - Smoke can irritate and damage the tissues at the back of your throat, causing your airways to become inflamed and restricted.
•	Certain medications and alcohol - Many medications, particularly if taken before bedtime, can increase snoring due to their relaxant effect on the muscles at the back of your throat. The same is true of alcohol.
•	Sleeping position - Sleeping on your back can narrow the airway and reduce airflow at the back of your throat.