Snoring: Frequently Asked Questions >>

What causes snoring?

The noisy sounds of snoring occur when there is an obstruction to the free flow of air
through the passages at the back of the mouth and nose. This is the collapsible part of the airway, where the tongue and upper throat meet the soft palate and uvula
(the fleshy structure that dangles from the roof of the mouth back into the throat). When
these structures strike against each other and vibrate during breathing, that is snoring.

Persons who snore have at least one of the following problems:

• Poor muscle tone (lack of tightness) in the muscles of the tongue and throat
• Excessive bulkiness of tissues of the throat
• Excessive length of the soft palate and uvula
• Obstructed nasal airways.

Is snoring serious?

Socially - yes. It is disruptive to family life. Medically - yes. It disturbs the sleeping patterns of the snorer him/herself, so that s/he may not sleep restfully. Furthermore, heavy snorers tend to develop high blood pressure at a younger age than non-snorers.

Can snoring be cured?

The majority of snorers can be helped. For adults who are mild or occasional snorers, the following self-help remedies are worth trying.

• Adopt an athletic life-style and exercise daily to develop good muscle tone and lose weight.
• Avoid tranquilizers, sleeping pills, and antihistamines before bedtime.
• Avoid alcoholic beverages within three hours of retiring.
• Avoid heavy meals within three hours of retiring.
• Avoid getting overtired; establish regular sleeping patterns.
• Sleep sideways rather than on the back. Consider sewing a pocket on the pajama back to hold a tennis ball. This helps to avoid sleeping on your back.
• Tilt the entire bed with the head upward.
• Allow the nonsnorer to get to sleep first.

What is sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is a disorder of breathing during sleep. Typically it is accompanied by loud snoring. Apnea during sleep consist of brief periods throughout the night in which breathing stops. People with sleep apnea do not get enough oxygen during sleep. There are two major types:

• Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common type and is due to an obstruction in the throat during sleep. Bed partners notice pauses approximately 10 to 60 seconds between loud snores. The narrowing of the upper airway can be a result of several factors including inherent physical characteristics, excess weight, and alcohol consumption before sleep.
• Central sleep apnea — caused by a delay in the signal from the brain to breath. With both obstructive and central apnea you must wake up briefly to breathe, sometimes hundreds of times during the night. Usually there is no memory of these brief awakenings.

Most common symptoms of loud snoring:

• Waking up non-refreshed and having trouble staying awake during the day
• Waking up with headaches
• Waking up during the night, sometimes with the sensation of choking
• Waking up sweating

Simple Test for Sleep Apnea (SNORE SCORE):

Answer "Yes" or "No" to each of the following five questions:
1. Are you a loud, habitual snorer, disturbing your bedroom companion?
2. Do you feel tired and groggy on awakening?
3. Do you experience sleepiness and fatigue during waking hours?
4. Are you overweight?
5. Have you been observed to choke, gasp or hold your breath during sleep?

If you answer yes to any of the above, you should discuss your symptoms with your
physician.