“Laugh and the world laughs with you, snore and you sleep alone.”
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We all snore sometimes, whether or not we are aware of it. It’s not always a problem, but if it happens frequently, it can not only damage the quality of our sleep, but also cause huge problems and stresses in our relationships; so snoring is a serious matter! In this article we will examine what causes snoring and look at some of the cures and consequences.
Fatigue and Irritability
Snoring can cause us to wake frequently, and we are not always aware of it happening. This can lead to fatigue, irritability and poor daytime performance. It can even be dangerous because it can affect our powers of concentration and slow our reactions which can lead to fatal accidents when we are working and driving. And that’s quite apart from the effect it can have on our loved ones.
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Of course, snoring is only one of the conditions that may be affecting your capacity to sleep well and to get the rest you need. Other conditions can cause the same symptoms, in which case you should look at a safe and natural sleep supplement such as Melatonin, on which we have many articles on this site.
In addition, we have other articles on sleep disorder diagnosis from which you may benefit. But if snoring is your problem, you’re on the right page!
Where does the snoring sound come from?
Snoring happens when the air you are sucking in is obstructed by your own body parts and tissues, making it flap and rattle as you inhale and exhale.
This is sometimes caused by the narrowing of your airway, either from poor sleep posture or abnormalities existing in the soft tissues in your throat. When the airway narrows for any reason, it gets in the way of smooth breathing and creates that awful snoring noise. Other common causes of snoring are:
What Are The Root Causes Of Snoring?
Snoring does not have one cause, but many, and each of us will have his/her own reasons for the problem. So before we can find a suitable treatment, we need to know WHY we are snoring, what causes snoring.
Soft Nasal Tissue
Snoring is sometimes caused by soft nasal tissue that vibrates as we breathe. Some people have an excess of this tissue, which exacerbates the problem. Another cause is the awkward position of the tongue in some people as they sleep.
Tissue degeneration due to Age:
As we get to middle age and beyond, our throats become narrower, and the muscle tone of our throats deteriorate.
Body Architecture
Not many people are aware of this, but men have narrower air passages than women, which makes it much more likely that they will snore. Other causes of snoring that arise from our body architecture are cleft palates, enlarged adenoids, and any other characteristic than can soften and/or narrow our airways.
Medical problems
Blocked airways are often caused by nasal and sinus issues which can make inhalation difficult and create even create a vacuum in the throat as we struggle to breathe, causing loud snoring.
Obesity
Being overweight is often correlated with poor muscle tone, which is another cause of snoring.
Alcohol and Cigarettes
Consuming alcohol and smoking leads to significant muscle relaxation, which is another contributor to snoring.
Posture in Bed
Sleeping on your back can cause the flesh of your throat to relax and block the free-flow of air and thus cause snoring.
Snoring Damages Relationships
Constant snoring can easily damage your relationship – especially if your partner blames you for the episodes due to drinking alcohol or other habits. Tempers get short without sleep! This is something you need to get under control not just for your own sake but also to salvage your most intimate and important relationship.
Managing The situation: Don’t Be Embarrassed
Snoring is not voluntary – it’s caused by physical factors, some of which you can control and some you can’t – it’s not an issue to be embarrassed about as long as you DO something about it. And don’t personalize this: - don’t think your partner is attacking you if he/she raises this- it’s not YOU that’s the subject of the complaint – it’s the snoring.
Take Your Partner’s Complaints Seriously
Don’t trivialize the matter – it’s serious and can have serious consequences. Make it clear that you take it seriously and show respect for your partner in the discussion.
Most of all, be aware of your behavior - sleep deprivation can lead to great irritability and a short temper so make sure your partner understands that jabbing you awake is not okay!
