
Snoring is a common condition that is associated with many people and is most commonly observed in the latter part of their lives. Snoring is caused by blocked airways that cause air to move backward as the muscles relax during sleep.
The reason that the airways become partially blocked is due to the slackening of the muscles in the jaw, thus causing the tongue to fall forward and increase the pressure on the throat. This results in the vibration of the uvula and the soft palate, which vibrate the nasal airway passages which result in snoring. This particular problem is often linked to the fact that the mouth is one of the major muscle groups that when relaxed, the tongue will fall forward and this increases the pressure on the throat.
Nose, chin, and teeth may also cause snoring. For example, the bump on the roof of the mouth that causes snoring occurs at the junction of the nose and the soft palate, which are in the center of the roof of the mouth. Also, if the soft palate, the cartilage between the upper and lower jaw, relaxes, the tongue falls back and this is also another factor.
Breathing through the nose is a major cause of snoring as this will cause the passage of air to move backward along the nasal passages. However, other factors can cause snoring as well. For example, poor posture may lead to poor sleeping posture that could make it even more difficult to breathe and breathe deeply, resulting in snoring.
Certain food items are also linked to snoring. These include high-fat foods and alcohol, which are known to relax the muscles in the mouth, particularly the tongue. Poor nutrition can also contribute to snoring as it can cause the mouth to be too dry.
Certain drugs can also cause snoring, including sedatives and antihistamines, aspirin, sleeping pills, and theophylline. Theophylline is an ingredient in antihistamines and is a muscle relaxant that is used to treat insomnia and should not be taken by those who are already snoring.
Smoking can also cause snoring as the tar from the cigarette burns to the soft palate. In addition, the intense irritation and lack of airflow in the throat from smoking will make the muscles tense and will result in increased pressure in the airway passage.
Other things that can cause snoring include obesity, nasal congestion, and the use of nasal strips that clear blocked with mucus, which is a result of snoring. Smoking or alcohol is also another major factor that can cause snoring.
People who do not regularly exercise are more prone to snoring since the airways can become inflamed and swollen after a period of time. Excessive drinking also has an effect on the airways as it opens up the nasal passages for increased movement of the tongue. Smoking and alcohol can be very loud in the case of these two.
There are also some signs of snoring which can indicate sleep apnea, and in many cases, sleep apnea may cause snoring. These include coughing during sleep, heavy breathing, excessive snoring, and sleepiness during the night.
Many young people will develop snoring problems during the course of their teenage years due to the fact that they are changing in size and development. Snoring can be very disruptive to a person’s lifestyle and may be difficult to deal with. It is important to seek treatment as soon as possible to correct the problem and begin to live a healthy lifestyle again.