As you drift off to sleep, the muscles in the roof of your mouth, tongue and throat relax. These muscles can relax to the point that they vibrate and partially obstruct your airway as you breathe during sleep.
The result? Snoring.
The narrower the airway, the more forceful the airflow as you breathe. This increases tissue vibration, leading to louder snoring.
That's the mechanics of snoring. But a range of factors and conditions can set this in motion in the first place. Possible causes of snoring include:
•Sleep apnea.
•Being overweight. This leads to excessive neck tissue, which puts pressure on the airway.
•Being overweight. This leads to excessive neck tissue, which puts pressure on the airway.
•Nasal congestion from colds or allergies.
•Swollen adenoids and tonsils, which block the airway.
•Swollen adenoids and tonsils, which block the airway.
•Swelling of the muscular part of the roof of the mouth (called the soft palate) or swelling of the uvula (the piece of tissue that hangs down at the back of the mouth).
•Prominence of the area at the base of the tongue.
•Prominence of the area at the base of the tongue.
•Use of alcohol, sleeping pills or antihistamines at bedtime.
•Being in the last month of pregnancy.
•Being in the last month of pregnancy.
But there are other causes of snoring. It can be a sign of an underlying health problem. Anyone who snores and experiences any of the following problems should consult a doctor:
•Morning headaches.
•Recent weight gain.
•Recent weight gain.
•Excessive daytime drowsiness.
•Not feeling rested when you awake in the morning.
•Not feeling rested when you awake in the morning.
•A change in your level of attention, concentration or memory.
•Episodes of breathing lapses (called apnea) while sleeping.
•Episodes of breathing lapses (called apnea) while sleeping.
Of course, there's another benefit to talking with a doctor about your snoring: Resolving your snoring should ease your partner's sleep disruption as well.
A doctor looking into causes of snoring will probably conduct a physical examination and take your medical history. To determine the severity of the problem, the doctor may also ask your partner questions about when and how your snore.
You might be referred to an otolaryngologist (an ear, nose and throat specialist) or a sleep specialist for further evaluation. Possible treatment options include:
•Weight loss.
•Dental appliances to control the tongue.
•Dental appliances to control the tongue.
•Surgery on your palate or surgery to correct a deviated septum or remove your tonsils.
•Wearing a mask that delivers air pressure into the throat while you sleep. The device, a treatment for apnea, is called CPAP, for continuous positive airway pressure.
•Wearing a mask that delivers air pressure into the throat while you sleep. The device, a treatment for apnea, is called CPAP, for continuous positive airway pressure.
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