Snoring is the butt of many jokes and the cause of many annoyed spouses. However, because snoring is caused by obstructed breathing, it can be a sign of a serious medical problem, such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Additionally, snoring can have frustrating consequences on quality of life issues such as adequate sleep and spouse relationships.
Snoring is a common problem – in fact, it is estimated by the American Academy of Otolaryngology that 45 percent of adults snore, with 25 percent falling into the category of "habitual snorer." Many snorers and their partners wonder what causes snoring and if anything can be done about it.
The Physiology of Snoring
The noisy vibrating sounds of snoring occur when air cannot flow freely through the passages at the back of the throat and the nose. The airway obstruction causing these noisy vibrations is a result of the soft palate, tongue, and throat tissues relaxing during sleep, and in the process, partially obstructing the airway.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
Many habitual snorers are curious to know what cause is at the root of their snoring problem. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most serious cause of snoring. Airway obstruction during sleep results in short episodes during which the snorer stops breathing. The momentary lapse in breathing results in a lack of oxygen and in an accumulation of carbon dioxide. This triggers brain impulses that awaken the snorer just enough to restart breathing. OSA sufferers often feel chronically sleep deprived because they wake up numerous times throughout the night for short intervals.
Undiagnosed OSA is more than a mild annoyance. It has been linked to heart attack, stroke, irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure and heart disease, not to mention the loss of productivity and reduction in quality of life caused by chronic sleep deprivation.
Other Causes of Snoring
In addition to OSA, there are several other common causes of snoring. These causes include nasal and sinus problems. A frequent cause of snoring in children is enlarged tonsils and adenoids that block the airway. Similarly, many overweight people have excess throat tissue that obstructs the airway.
Allergy and asthma sufferers frequently have obstructed nasal packages due to congestion, which creates a vacuum in the throat, resulting in snoring. For this same reason, many people find they snore only when they have a cold. In addition, some people have structural abnormalities of the throat and nose that cause an obstruction. These include an abnormally long soft palate or uvula and a deviated nasal septum.
Those with substance abuse problems also often snore because alcohol and drugs can cause the tongue and throat muscles to lose their tone, resulting in obstruction.
Risk Factors
Certain people are at higher risk for chronic snoring. Those who are at high risk include people with alcohol abuse problems, those who are overweight and obese and those with throat and nasal deformities that obstruct the breathing passages. In addition, allergy and asthma sufferers are at heightened risk due to nasal congestion. Interestingly, larger numbers of men suffer from snoring and sleep apnea than women.
Assessment and Treatment
Sleep apnea can only be diagnosed by a physician. If your doctor suspects sleep apnea, she will refer you to a sleep clinic, where your sleep patterns will be evaluated using a test called polysomnography. Sleep apnea can be treated by behavior modification therapy, the use of an oral appliance to help maintain an open airway, or in the case of more severe disease, by the use of a C-PAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine, which delivers a constant flow of air that prevents the airways from closing. In some cases, surgery is also used to treat sleep apnea.
Imaging tests may be ordered for snoring to diagnose anatomical problems causing airway obstruction. If an anatomical problem is the cause, surgery may be recommended. If another medical problem is believed to be the cause your snoring, your doctor will work with you to treat the underlying problem. However, for many snorers, the most effective treatment is to make healthy lifestyle choices by losing weight and limiting alcohol consumption.
