Snoring can range from occasional irritation to a serious health issue. The louder and more frequent the snoring, the more likely a serious problem or combination of issues are at fault. While the noise caused by snoring comes from constriction of the throat passages as air passes over soft tissue, what causes the constriction and soft tissue configuration is varied. Many of the causes can be remedied by behavioral changes.
Abnormalities
Physical abnormalities and malformations can cause bad snoring. Some possible causes are a deviated septum or an elongated uvula (that piece of soft tissue hanging like a pendulum from the back of your throat). Other possibilities are swollen adenoids or enlarged tonsils. In these cases, a medical intervention or apparatus may have to be utilized to remedy the issue.
Positioning
Improper positioning can add to the snoring problem. Sleeping on your back is known to more often result in snoring than sleeping on your side. While on your back, the soft tissue relaxes in a way that is more likely to cause constricted air flow. Repositioning to your side may open the constricted throat passage enough to correct the problem.
Sleep Apnea
Health issues such as sleep apnea from the actual closing or complete constriction of the throat when sleeping can be serious. In sleep apnea, your throat constricts partly or fully up to 100 times per hour. You may suffer from this without knowing unless a partner or family member tells you. If you never feel completely rested after a night's sleep, there is a good possibility sleep apnea is the problem. Participation in a sleep study or clinic may be the only way to diagnose this condition properly.
Obesity
Obesity can cause snoring by itself or in combination with the above causes. The excess soft tissue resulting from obesity, when constricted by relaxation, can close enough of the throat passage to make breathing difficult or stop briefly, with noisy snoring as a result.
Alcohol
Because relaxed tissue in a constricted air passage causes snoring, a chemical relaxant such as alcohol can be a definite cause or contributor to bad snoring. The closer to sleep time you drink, the more likely the alcohol will have an effect on your snoring probability.
