What causes snoring? And is there a cure for it?

Answer 1

Snoring is the act of breathing through the open mouth in such a way as to cause a vibration of the uvula and soft palate, thus giving rise to a sound which may vary from a soft noise to a loud unpleasant sound. This most commonly occurs during sleep.

The cause of snoring is some kind of blockage in the breathing passage. Those blockages can be of many kinds—here are just a few:

Tongue falling into the throat
Allergies
Throat weakness causing the throat to close during sleep
Mispositioned jaw, often caused by tension in muscles
Fat gathering in, and around, the throat
When the airflow in the breathing passage becomes irregular due to a blockage the soft palate may start flapping. This flapping of the soft palate is what makes the snoring sound.

Numerical statistics on snoring are often contradictory, but at least 30% of the adult population and perhaps as many as 50% of people in some demographics snore.

Most of the time snoring is not a health risk to the snorer, but snoring resulting from a significant obstruction of the breathing passage can be an indication of the potentially life-threatening disorder sleep apnea.

Even if snoring may not be detrimental to the snorer, it can cause the snorer's bedmate or roommates to lose sleep. Being sleep deprived can lead in some cases to life-threatening problems for the person and those around them. Also, studies have shown that there is a psychological component in snoring which causes discomfort in any listener, depending on the loudness, tone, frequency, and other auditorial attributes of the snore. Studies have shown that there is a direct inverse relationship between snoring and frequency of sexual activity between married partners, meaning that there is generally less sexual activity if one of the partners is a heavy snorer.

Snoring is usually an involuntary act, but may also be produced voluntarily.

According to Dr. William C Dement, of the Stanford Sleep Center, anyone who snores and has daytime drowsiness should be evaluated for sleep disorders.

The loudest snore on record was 93 decibels

Cures
Snoring cures almost all revolve around clearing the blockage in the breathing passage. This is the reason snorers are advised to lose weight (to stop fat from pressing on the throat), to stop smoking (smoking weakens and clogs the throat), and to sleep on their side (to prevent the tongue from blocking the throat).

Surgery is one option to cure snoring (for example a uvulopalatopharyngoplasty); dental appliances such as a mandibular advancement splint are another. There are many devices such as nose clips to keep the nose open and jaw mechanics to keep the jaw in the right position. Different aids work for different people. According to the British Medical Journal, playing the didgeridoo can also help

Answer 2

Snoring is not a joke, and it's not just a nuisance.

Snoring is often a symptom of a serious disorder called sleep apnea. This can damage your heart and even kill you. You need to go to a sleep clinic without delay - ask your doctor to refer you.

In most cases apnea can be 100% eliminated by the use of a night breathing machine called a CPAP. It might take a night or two to get used to it, but then you will not only not snore AT ALL anymore, you will feel much better during the day, too.

Please do not delay in seeing a sleep specialist - it's very important! Contrary to what many people believe, you do NOT have to be overweight to have sleep apnea.

Answer 3

there is soft tissue in the back of your throat that vibrates when you breathe heavy causing snoring to occur.

You can go to a doctor and have a small piece of plastic inserted into the soft tissue which keeps it from vibrating making noise, permanent fix to snoring. It's an outpatient procedure, takes a few minutes and is relatively painless.

NY Times article on it ...
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/22/health/22reme.html?ex=1403236800&en=fad167dfe970446a&ei=5007&partner=USERLAND

The technology is new, so check with your local doctor to see if he can perform it or if he can recommend someone.

Answer 4

Snoring is created by a relaxing of the jaw which causes a partially blocked airway. This partial blockage makes a resonating sound we all hear at night. Sometimes a person's adenoids can contribute if they're significantly swollen.

Answer 5

Snoring is caused by the inability of air to pass through the nasal passages. There isn't a cure, but there is a solution: rhinoplasty. Rhinoplasty is a surgery where your nasal passages are widened.

Answer 6

People snore when they are very tired. Just need rest for this case

Answer 7

I don't exactly know what causes it- maybe its just because you breathe trough your mouth instead of nose. There are nose strips that you can buy in any US drug store that prevent snoring

Answer 8

42

Answer 9

Snoring when u sleep is because u r too tired during the day time.
Relax yourself n do not work too hard on yourself.

Answer 10

see the really long one
and many overweight people snore.
and there are snoring clinics and sleep clinics to help.