Snoring: More Than a Laughing Matter

Published May 16, 2010

Have you ever noticed how snoring is often used to get laughs on TV shows and cartoons? When you think about it, there is really nothing funny about snoring. In fact, it can be medically devastating. Snoring can be toe root cause of many serious medical and social problems that can lead to social ridicule, sleeplessness, heart attack and stroke.

As many as 25% of adults snore habitually. Without treatment, the symptoms will no go away on their own. In fact, snoring can become obstructive sleep apnea, a potentially life threatening condition. Overweight males are at the greatest risk, but women can suffer as well, and the problem only worsens as we age.

Why Do People Snore?

Snoring occurs when the free flow of air through the passages at the back of the mouth and nose are obstructed. This usually occurs when soft tissues collapse during sleep. This collapse causes the tongue, soft palate and uvula (the ‘bell’ in the back of your throat) to meet, and the vibrations cause a snoring sound.

There are several reasons for snoring:

Poor oral muscle tone. Relaxed tongue and throat muscles reduce airflow. Deep sleep, alcohol and sleep medications cause poor muscle tone.

Large tonsils and adenoids. Excess throat tissue and being overweight can cause snoring, more common in overweight individuals. Sometimes, a cyst or tumors on the tonsils or adenoids is the problem.

Long uvula and/or soft palate. A ‘long palate’ means a narrower opening between the nose and throat. This may create noise during relaxed breathing.

Nasal airway obstruction. The extra effort it takes to breathe through a ‘stuffed up’ nose pulls on floppy throat tissues and causes snoring.

Obstructions from nasal deformities, such as a deviated septum

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Obstructive Sleep Apnea begins with snoring, but can quickly become far more serious. When snoring is punctuated by stopped breathing lasting ten seconds or more, the individual is at greater risk for low blood oxygen levels that make the heart work much harder to bring oxygen to the blood. If you often wake up with unexplained morning headaches, low blood oxygen levels may be the cause. See your doctor.

Sleep apnea sufferers sleep lightly and cannot relax deeply enough to allow sufficient airflow to the lungs, causing annoying and detrimental symptoms including:

Daytime fatigue
Mood swings
Depression
Impaired school or job performance
Hazardous driving
Elevated blood pressure
Heart enlargement

Sleep apnea can be difficult to diagnose. It is important to remember as well that snoring is not the same as sleep apnea. Snoring is not necessarily harmful. However, individuals with sleep apnea are deprived of oxygen that can be life-threatening. Sleep apnea sufferers will snore, but snoring by itself is not the only sign of sleep apnea.
If you are concerned that sleep apnea may be a problem for you, make an appointment to visit a competent and experienced healthcare professional; perhaps your family doctor or another physician who specializes in diagnosing sleep disorders.

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Snoring: More Than a Laughing Matter

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