Snoring is often a result of excess weight. While the dangers of obesity to public health are well understood, research has suggested that snoring, as harmless as it may seem, may be more than a mere annoyance to your spouse. Snoring actually has the potential to bring about early and unnecessary death.
The Facts
Snoring affects approximately 90 million adults in the United States. It is caused by numerous factors including the aging process, which leads to relaxation of throat muscles; allergies; and abnormal throat and nose conditions, such as enlarged adenoids or tonsils. While these and other conditions may be linked to snoring, excess weight is among its top contributing factors.
Function
The vibrating sound caused by snoring occurs when your uvula, tonsils, tongue and throat muscles apply pressure to your soft palate. While this may be linked to a number of factors, it is often a direct result of being overweight, as excess fat and tissue around the throat congest the air passageway and force these anatomical structures to rub against each other. This occurs more frequently during inhalation, though it can occur during exhalation, too.
Warning
The effects of snoring are far reaching and in many cases, a cause for great concern. According to the American Heart Association, snoring is a strong risk factor for brain infarction. Others have demonstrated its connection to sudden cardiac death, diabetes, heart disease and even relationship strife--statistics show that chronic snoring is the No. 1 medical cause for divorce in the United States.
Solution
If being overweight is indeed the cause of your snoring, the solution, although not necessarily simple, is nonetheless straightforward: Lose weight. According to Lawrence Epstein, author of "The Harvard Medical School Guide to a Good Night's Sleep," exercise and its subsequent effect on weight loss has significant alleviating effects on sleep-related disorders, including snoring. By combining an exercise program--including regular aerobic, resistance and weight training--with a low-calorie diet, you not only lose weight, but you also mitigate the intensity of your snoring.
Considerations
While being overweight may be the main cause of snoring, it is possible that other biological factors are at the root of your distress. Although losing weight may alleviate your condition to some extent, it may be necessary to undergo surgery to experience a significant improvement. Procedures such as radiofrequency ablation, palatal stiffening and laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty are worth considering if you suffer from chronic snoring.
