Definition of Snoring:
Snoring is a loud, hoarse, or harsh breathing sound that occurs during sleep.Considerations:
Snoring is common in adults and usually is not a sign of an underlying disorder.
Sometimes, however, snoring can be a sign of a serious sleep disorder called sleep apnea. This means you have periods when you are not breathing for more than 10 seconds while you sleep. During an apnea episode, there is a long period of silence just after snoring. The episode is followed by a sudden snort or gasp when breathing resumes. Then, snoring starts all over again. If you have sleep apnea, this cycle generally happens several times a night.
Risks associated with sleep apnea include stroke, irregular heart rhythms, and heart attack due to lack of oxygen. A doctor (or a sleep specialist) can tell if you have sleep apnea by doing a sleep study either at home or in a hospital setting.
Common Causes:
In most people, the reason for snoring is not known. Some potential causes (other than sleep apnea) include:
- Being overweight, which leads to excessive neck tissue that puts pressure on the airways
- Last month of pregnancy
- Nasal congestion from colds or allergies, especially if it lasts a long time
- Swelling of the muscular part of the roof of the mouth (soft palate) or uvula, the piece of tissue that hangs down in the back of the mouth
- Swollen adenoids and tonsils that block the airways
- Using sleeping pills, antihistamines, or alcohol at bedtime
