Why do People Snore?

What is Snoring?

Have you heard your dad make really loud sounds when he is deep in his sleep? Well, this is what we commonly call as snoring. To put it simply, snoring is the sound created when air cannot move freely through the nose or the mouth during sleep. Let us now understand this phenomenon better and see why does this happen in the first place.

What Causes Snoring?

The main cause behind snoring is the narrowing of the airway during sleep.
This narrowing can occur due to two major reasons. The first is a poor sleeping posture while the other is, the abnormalities of the soft tissues in the throat.

Why do some people snore so loudly?

Snoring is nothing but the vibration of the soft palate (the soft part of the roof of the mouth) as the lungs strain to inhale oxygen through obstructed airways. The loudness is affected by how much air is passing through and how fast the throat tissue is vibrating.

Snoring in Children

Statics reveal that most children only snore occasionally while about 10 % or more snore on most nights. There can be many reasons why a child snores. It has been observed that 1 to 3 % of children not only snore, but also suffer from breathing problems during their sleep. In fact, in the year 2002, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended that all children be screened for snoring and that a diagnosis be conducted to determine if a child is experiencing normal primary snoring or obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

How to stop Snoring?

As of date, there are numerous anti-snoring devices available in the market. And with more and more of these being added everyday, finding the right solution for snoring has become a daunting task.

Sadly, many of these painful anti-snoring devices are only known to keep the person awake instead of asleep minus the snoring.
There are, of course, techniques that have been proven to work. But, not all these remedies suit everyone.

The first step to solving a snoring problem is to find the cause of the snoring. As the reasons for snoring can be varied, professional medical help is advised. Even with medical advice, however, it may require some patience, some lifestyle changes, and a willingness to experiment with different solutions to find the right remedy for snoring.