What Causes Snoring?
Snoring noise is the result of tissue in the airway vibrating as you breathe. At night, as your body relaxes during sleep, the tissue in the airway relaxes and can vibrate as air passes over it. There are several areas of tissue that can contribute to snoring noise. These include the nasal passages, the soft palate (the roof of your mouth), the uvula, tonsils, adenoids, and the tongue. Any one or several of these areas could be the cause of your snoring. Treatment options vary depending on which of these areas are involved. Only an examination by a doctor specializing in the treatment of snoring can determine which areas are causing your snoring.
In 80% of cases, the soft palate is the primary contributing area causing snoring noise. Which means that in the majority of patients only a single procedure to treat the soft palate is necessary to decrease the volume and frequency of snoring.
Other causes of snoring include:
- Allergies
- Being Overweight
- Alcohol use, especially just before going to sleep
- Smoking
Men snore more than women, but both can snore and disrupt their bed partner. Treatment options are the same for men and women.
Snoring in children is most often caused by vibration of the tonsils and adenoids. Snoring in children is also commonly sleep apnea. The first treatment, which is successful in the majority of children is to surgically remove the tonsils and adenoids. Treasure Coast Snoring Solutions focuses on the treatment of adult snoring.