Noises at Night: Possible Reasons Why People Snore

Snoring occurs when air moves through the nose and throat and is disrupted by the soft palate (the soft tissue at the back of the roof of the mouth). This can happen when a person is awake, but it is more likely to occur during sleep when the muscles of the throat relax. Snoring can be caused by a number of different factors, including sleep position, alcohol consumption, and weight. However, the usual cause of snoring is sleep apnea, a disorder that disrupts sleep and can lead to other health problems.

Of course, some other factors may come into play when it comes to the act of snoring, so if you want to know more, take note of the other possible causes below.

1. Smoking

Cigarette smoking increases the risk of snoring. The reason why smokers are more likely to snore is not clear, but it may be because smoking causes inflammation and swelling in the upper airway. If you are a smoker and you want to improve your snoring, quitting smoking is the best option. It may take some time for your snoring to improve, but it will eventually get better.

2. Head and Neck Anatomy

Snoring occurs when the airway is restricted, preventing air from flowing freely. This can be due to the size and shape of certain structures, such as a deviated septum. A deviated septum is when the wall between the nostrils is bent or skewed to one side. Besides that, several other things can make someone more likely to snore. This includes having growths in the nasal passages (called polyps), having a small jaw, and having an enlarged tongue or tonsils.

There are two ways to treat people who have a physical cause of their snoring- surgery or dental devices. The goal of both methods is to make it easier for air to flow in and out of the airway during sleep. This will stop or reduce the condition. There is some evidence that these methods may help people who snore but don’t have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), but more research is needed to confirm this.

3. Chronic Nasal Congestion

If you have a stuffy nose, it can make it harder to breathe at night and cause you to snore. Allergies and infections are the most common causes of nasal congestion, but other things like being in a dry environment or having a deviated septum can also contribute to that. Nasal congestion that occurs at night on a regular basis can cause snoring. If you always or almost always have nasal congestion at night, you’re three times more likely to be a habitual snorer, according to a study of middle-aged adults.

4. Alcohol and Sedative Medication

Drinking alcohol can make snoring worse because it relaxes the muscles around the airway. This is especially true for people who have chronic snoring or obstructive sleep apnea. It is often recommended that people avoid drinking alcohol and take sedative medications before bed in order to reduce snoring. Although this has not been tested in a clinical trial, some people may see benefits from this approach.

Conclusion

There are many possible reasons why people snore. It could be due to a physical obstruction in the airway, such as the tongue or soft palate. It could also be due to sleep apnea, which is a condition where the person’s breathing is interrupted during sleep. Snoring can also be caused by certain medications or alcohol consumption.

If you happen to be a habitual snorer, be sure to consult with your doctor to try to mitigate the situation.
If you are looking for a well-trusted sleep apnea clinic in Lethbridge, look no further than our expertise here at Lethbridge Snoring & Sleep Apnea Clinic. We are passionate about helping our patients achieve better sleep health, and we provide sleep testing to help understand and assess underlying sleep conditions. Call us today to book your first sleep apnea test with us.