Why snore

This pattern of breathing pauses may be repeated many times during the night. People with obstructive sleep apnea usually experience periods when breathing slows or stops at least five times during every hour of sleep. See your doctor if you have any of the above symptoms.

These may indicate your snoring is associated with obstructive sleep apnea OSA. If your child snores, ask your pediatrician about it. Children can have OSA, too. Nose and throat problems — such as enlarged tonsils — and obesity often can narrow a child's airway, which can lead to your child developing OSA.

Snoring occurs when air flows past relaxed tissues, such as your tongue, soft palate and airway, as you breathe. The sagging tissues narrow your airway, causing these tissues to vibrate. Snoring can be caused by a number of factors, such as the anatomy of your mouth and sinuses, alcohol consumption, allergies, a cold, and your weight.

When you doze off and progress from a light sleep to a deep sleep, the muscles in the roof of your mouth soft palate , tongue and throat relax. The tissues in your throat can relax enough that they partially block your airway and vibrate.

The more narrowed your airway, the more forceful the airflow becomes. This increases tissue vibration, which causes your snoring to grow louder. Habitual snoring may be more than just a nuisance.

Aside from disrupting a bed partner's sleep, if snoring is associated with OSA, you may be at risk for other complications, including:. Snoring care at Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. For many people, snoring is a more permanent problem.

Some people snore frequently, which can be very difficult for anyone who is sharing the room. If you snore regularly or you think that your breathing is affected, then it is important to see an ENT specialist to find out the cause and what snoring treatment is available to help. Snoring is the sound that happens when part of the respiratory system moves or vibrates as we breathe during sleep.

The vibrations can happen if the airways are narrower than usual or if there is some kind of blockage. As the air passes, it can cause structures such as the uvula or soft palate to shake, which creates a sound. The sound can range from a soft snuffle to a grating snore. Depending on the cause of the problem, snoring treatment may be able to help.

All of these can make your throat relax or place more pressure on your airways, which can increase the chances that you will snore. However, there are also some medical conditions that can make you snore at night. Some of the possible causes of snoring are:. Snoring can happen for many different reasons and it can sometimes be a sign of a potentially serious issue that requires treatment. The Harley Stre The Harley Street ENT clinic in London can provide all of the care that you need when you have an ear, nose, throat or balance problem.

We ensure that you can get all of the right tests, treatments and advice in one convenient place. Avoid alcohol, sleeping pills, and sedatives because they relax the muscles in the throat and interfere with breathing. Be careful what you eat before bed. Research shows that eating large meals or consuming certain foods such as dairy or soymilk right before bedtime can make snoring worse.

There are also specific exercises you can do to strengthen the muscles in your throat. Studies show that by pronouncing certain vowel sounds and curling the tongue in specific ways, muscles in the upper respiratory tract are strengthened and therefore reduce snoring.

The following exercises can help:. There are medical options that could make all the difference. New advances in the treatment of snoring are developing all the time and devices are becoming more effective and comfortable. Talk to your primary physician or an otolaryngologist ear, nose, and throat doctor or ENT. To keep your airway open during sleep, a machine at your bedside blows pressurized air into a mask that you wear over your nose or face. Laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty LAUP uses a laser to shorten the uvula the hanging soft tissue at the back of the throat and to make small cuts in the soft palate either side.

As the cuts heal, the surrounding tissues stiffen to prevent the vibrations that trigger snoring. Palatal implants or the Pillar procedure, involves inserting small plastic implants into the soft palate which help prevent collapse of the soft palate that can cause snoring. Somnoplasty uses low levels of radiofrequency heat to remove tissues of the uvula and soft palate that vibrate during snoring.

The procedure is performed under local anesthesia and takes about 30 minutes. Custom-fitted dental devices and lower jaw-positioners help open your airway by bringing your lower jaw or your tongue forward during sleep. For best results, you will need to see a dentist who specializes in these devices. Surgical procedures such as Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty UPPP , Thermal Ablation Palatoplasty TAP , tonsillectomy, and adenoidectomy, increase the size of your airway by surgically removing tissues or correcting abnormalities.

No matter how much you love each other, snoring can put a strain on your relationship. Sleeping in separate rooms. While this may be a solution for some couples, it can also take a toll on emotional and physical intimacy. Irritability due to sleep loss. Poor sleep takes a toll on mood, thinking skills, judgment, and your ability to manage stress and conflict. This can explain why communication often breaks down when you and your partner try talking about the problem.

Partner resentment. When a non-snorer feels they have done everything possible to sleep through the night ear plugs, sound machines, etc. If you value your relationship, make it your priority to find a snoring cure so you can both sleep soundly.

Working together as a team to stop snoring can even be an opportunity to improve the quality of your bond and become more deeply connected. So, you love everything about your partner, except their snoring. Even the most patient amongst us will draw the line at sleep deprivation.

You want to attack the snoring problem—not your sleep partner. Remember that your partner likely feels vulnerable, defensive, and even a little embarrassed about their snoring. Time your talk carefully. Avoid lashing out. Sure, sleep deprivation is aggravating and can be damaging to your health, but try your best to approach the problem in a non-confrontational way.

Beware of bitterness. Laughing about it can ease tension. Keep the following in mind as you and your partner work together to find a solution to your snoring:. Snoring is a physical issue. Like a pulled muscle or a common cold, improving the condition is in your hands.

Avoid taking it personally. Your partner loves you, just not the snoring. Take your partner seriously. Avoid minimizing complaints. Lack of sleep is a health hazard and can make your partner feel miserable all day.

Make it clear that you prioritize the relationship. Address inappropriate behavior. Authors: Jeanne Segal, Ph. Snoring — Overview and Facts — Includes information on causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. American Academy of Sleep Medicine. Snoring — Written for kids, an overview of snoring, typical causes, and treatments.