Snoring is a condition that is experienced by people, young or old. It is quite common, which explains why some people generally do not find it disturbing. However, no matter how prevalent it may be, it is important to seek medical advice or treatment, as it may also have negative effects on your health and wellness.
Not everyone who snores is aware that he actually snores. Normally, the condition is observed by people who sleep near the person snoring. If a person sleeps alone, there are certain conditions that may indicate that a person is snoring during sleep. One of these indicators is the feeling of constantly being tired. Although snoring generally occurs unconsciously, it frequently causes disturbances in sleep. Recurrent headaches also may be the result of a lack of quality rest.
Based on statistics, it is clear that some people are generally more prone to snoring. Older people, for instance, have a greater tendency to snore. This is primarily because their muscles are more relaxed than those of younger people. When throat muscles and tissues relax during sleep, they may collapse and block off the air passageway. Moreover, men are more prone to snoring than women. It is unclear why this is the case, but records show that more men than women seek treatment.
Snoring, in general, has a lot to do with the quality of the muscles and tissues of the throat, as well as the structure of the mouth. Obese or overweight people have bulkier throat muscles and tissues, which can make the air passageway narrower. The palate and uvula may bump into each other also, which could cause snoring. Also, more effort is necessary to breathe, resulting in stronger vibrations in the throat area. Thus, overweight people with snoring issues are typically advised to lose weight.
The structure of the mouth and its passageway to the throat may restrict airflow and contribute significantly to snoring. Those who are born with certain mouth structure anomalies are more likely to exhibit the condition.
While snoring may be the result of certain structural issues, it is also often a genetic condition. It is not known what may genetically cause snoring, but it is clear that certain people are genetically predisposed to snoring.
However, there are many controllable factors that may put a person at risk for snoring. One is alcohol dependency and the dependence on certain drugs. Alcohol, muscle relaxants, and sleep aids may all contribute to snoring.
