Why Do Some People Have Problems with Snoring

Everyone snores at some point in their lives, but why do some people have problems with snoring?

Problems include chronic snoring, extremely loud snoring and sleep apnea, where the sleeper’s air gets cut off during sleep. Snoring is not something you have to put up with because it can be the indication of severe health problems. According to “Newsweek”, people who snore are more prone to strokes or heart attacks than non-snorers.

Overweight

People who are overweight are some people who have problems with snoring. Their extra fat presses down on their throats as they sleep. This narrows their airways to the point where the characteristic “buzz saw” noise is heard. People with sleep apnea have their airways closed off entirely, producing a strange choking sound. This also wakes up the sleeper, sometimes as much as 100 times a night. Anyone who has to live in the same home as a person with sleep apnea will not get much sleep, either.

Physical Abnormalities

Snoring can be an indication of a birth defect, injury or a tumor in the airways, nose, mouth or throat. This object blocks the normal flow of air in the sleeper. When the sleeper goes into deep relaxation, the jaw usually drops open. This causes a constriction of the airways. If a person has never or rarely snored before and suddenly begins snoring all of the time and has not put on weight, then he or she needs to go to the doctor to check for a growth such as a nasal polyp.

Drugs and Medications

Certain legal and illegal drugs can cause deep muscle relaxation in the entire body, which explains why some people have problems with snoring. Alcoholics are notorious for snoring. Throats irritated by smoking often produce people who snore. Anyone taking cold medications like antihistamines or over the counter sleeping pills also tend to snore. Muscle relaxants, often prescribed for pain, can also cause snoring.

Being a Man

Men snore far more often than women. It is unknown why men snore more than women do. This could be due to genetics, greater social acceptance of a smoking and drinking in men or injuries to the soft palate, nose or throat. But one thing is known -- if a person is a man, overweight, smokes, drinks and takes medications to relax the muscles is a recipe for snoring.