Causes of Snoring

Nearly half of all adults snore and about half of these people who snore do it loudly and frequently.

Approximately 10 to 15% of young children, most of whom have enlarged tonsils and adenoids, snore on a regular basis.

Factors that Cause Snoring

The causes of snoring can be attributed to a variety of factors:

Obstructive sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea is characterized by loud, frequent snoring and intermittent pauses in breathing. This is a potentially serious sleep disorder that needs to be evaluated by a doctor. There are significant and serious risks associated with sleep apnea and treatment can relieve your symptoms and have long term health benefits.

Age. Aging increases the potential for snoring because the throat and tongue muscles become more relaxed with age.

Alcohol consumption. Alcohol relaxes the throat muscles and facilitates airway obstruction, so drinking too much alcohol before bedtime can contribute to snoring.

Being overweight. People who are overweight often have bulky throat tissue, which narrows their airways.

Medications. Certain medications, such as sleeping pills, may cause the throat and tongue muscles to become relaxed and fall back into the airway.

Mouth anatomy. Having a long soft palate, tonsils, and/or uvula (the tissue that dangles at the back of your mouth) can contribute to snoring because these structures can block the airways and vibrate during sleep. Deformities of the nose, such as a deviated septum, can also cause snoring

Allergies and sinus infections. Some people only snore during allergy season or when they have a sinus infection.

When to Seek Treatment

Sleep apnea lowers oxygen levels in the blood, leading to a rise in blood pressure. Leaving sleep apnea untreated may cause enlargement of the heart and increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Children who have obstructive sleep apnea tend to display problematic behavior, such as hyperactivity. Furthermore, according to several studies, children with sleep apnea are more likely to score lower on tests measuring memory, intelligence, and the ability to pay attention.

People with sleep apnea are at higher risk of developing diabetes than people who don’t snore because their bodies produce adrenaline when they are under stress from not getting enough oxygen. The adrenaline production causes their blood sugar level to rise, which can eventually lead to diabetes. Loud, frequent snoring can also put a damper on marital relations, especially if it results in the couple sleeping in separate bedrooms.

How You Can Prevent Snoring

When the causes of snoring do not include sleep apnea or anatomical problems, the condition can usually be prevented by non-invasive means in many cases. These including losing weight, quitting smoking, avoiding alcohol and heavy meals before bedtime, and changing medications when they cause snoring.

You can also help to prevent snoring by sleeping on your side instead of on your back and propping your head up a few inches with pillows.

Yet, if are the underlying cause of snoring, surgery may be necessary. It is important to see your doctor if loud or excessive snoring is causing you or your bed mate to lose sleep.

If you and your doctor has ruled out sleep apnea or other potentially dangerous causes of snoring - and you have already tried making the lifestyle and sleeping adjustments detailed above - you may want to consider the following.

• Nasal Strips or Sprays


• Snoring Mouthpiece


• Snore Pillow


• Sleep Apnea Pillow

For more information on how to prevent snoring, click here.

Sources: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, American Academy of Otolaryngology, and the National Sleep Foundation.

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