In simple terms, we snore when our body is not able to move air freely through the nose and throat - while we are asleep. In terms of anatomy, snoring is a result of a partially closed upper airway or the upper respiratory tract – that includes the nose and throat. Excessive relaxation of the neck muscles is the leading reason for snoring. This is because the upper airway partly closes and becomes too narrow, and it causes very little air to pass through to the lungs.
Now, let’s explore the leading causes of snoring:
- Body weight: Being overweight is one of the foremost causes of snoring. If your Body Mass Index (BMI) is on the higher side, you are more prone to snoring. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle that includes regular exercise, consuming a healthy diet, and sleeping and waking early will largely help to regulate your body weight, and eventually lead to less or no snoring.
- Smoking, Alcohol and Drugs: Smoking and consuming alcohol disturb the muscles of the throat and upper airway, thereby causing breathing problems, and ultimately snoring. Some drugs and medications also cause snoring, as they cause excessive muscle relaxation.
- Built: Body structure and physical attributes of individuals are significant causes for snoring. This means men are more likely to snore than women, as they have narrower air passages. Genetic disorders that give way to a narrow throat, cleft palate, and enlarged adenoids, also cause snoring among many people.
- Age: Once your body starts to age, the throat becomes narrower. This causes the muscle tone in the throat to lessen, and this leads to snoring. Growing old is inevitable, but snoring can be controlled with lifestyle changes, setting proper bedtime routines, and throat exercises.
- Blocked nose or nasal cavity: Changes in climate and pollution are often the prime reason for a blocked nose or congestion, due to cold or allergy. This, in turn, makes breathing a cumbersome job, which creates a vacuum in the throat, thus giving way to snoring.
Now that we have talked about the reasons for snoring, in the next sections - we will be discussing:
"Impact of Snoring" & "How to Stop Snoring"