What is snoring?
Snoring, commonly referred to as "snoring," is a loud sound that occurs during sleep with breathing. This sound, known as snoring, is mainly caused by the vibration of soft tissues in the upper airway as air flows through the narrowed parts of the upper respiratory tract during breathing. This process may involve brief episodes of oxygen deprivation or low oxygen levels, often occurring during inhalation, although some snoring sounds may also happen during exhalation.
Snoring is a common problem, but its severity and health impacts can vary. Snoring can be mild, occasional, and inconsequential, or it can be a sign of a serious underlying sleep-related breathing disorder. More than a quarter of adults snore regularly.
Snoring can also sometimes indicate a serious health problem. In addition, snoring can be very annoying to your partner.
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a breathing disorder in which the airway becomes blocked or collapses during sleep, causing recurrent breathing difficulties.
Snoring is one of the most common symptoms of OSA, but not everyone who snores has OSA. OSA-related snoring tends to be loud and sound like a person choking, sneezing, or gasping.
Not all snorers have OSA, but if snoring is accompanied by any of the following symptoms, it may indicate the need for medical consultation to further evaluate for OSA:
Why do some people snore while others don't? People with enlarged tonsils, a large tongue, or excess weight around the neck are more likely to snore. Structural factors, such as the shape of the nose or chin, can also contribute to snoring. Snoring occurs when tissues at the back of the throat near the airway vibrate and produce sound.
During sleep, the muscles relax, narrowing the airway, and as you breathe in and out, the moving air causes the muscle tissue to flutter and make noises. Because the size and shape of each person's neck muscle tissue is different, some people are more prone to snoring.
High-risk factors for snoring include:
Occasional snoring is not a big deal, but chronic and loud snoring requires active intervention and correction. Here are some simple, low-cost or free methods you can try yourself.
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) device is one of the most common treatment for adult sleep apnea and snoring. It delivers pressurized air through a tube and mask to keep the airway open and prevent obstruction. Bi-level Positive Airway Pressure (BiPAP or BPAP) machines are similar but provide different pressure levels for inhalation and exhalation. Automatic Positive Airway Pressure (APAP) machines respond to the breathing pattern and adjust the air pressure as needed.
CPAP, BiPAP, and APAP devices are usually effective in treating sleep apnea and related snoring. It is important to purchase these devices under the guidance of a doctor, and they must be calibrated to suit your breathing. For this reason, it is crucial to work with a sleep technician to begin using the appropriate equipment.
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