Why do we snore while sleeping
From wikiWHYfiles
[edit] Introductory Note
Snoring is the vibration of respiratory structures and the resulting sound, due to obstructed air movement during breathing while sleeping. In some cases the sound may be soft, but in other cases, it can be rather loud and quite unpleasant. Generally speaking, the structures involved are the uvula and soft palate.
[edit] Reason
Snoring is as a result of the obstruction of air flow – both inhale and exhaust – that happens in the part of air passage, where the back of the throat and tongue meets with the soft palate and uvula. The basic cause of the obstruction is the poorly toned or weakened muscles of throat and tongue, which when in a relaxed state may sway into the airway, blocking the free passage of air during every breath.
The weakening of muscles can happen due to a variety of reasons, a few of which are:
• Obesity. The fat deposits around the neck and throat of obese people may exert some amount of pressure on the airway, especially while the person is lying down, eventually blocking the free air flow in and out, leading to snoring.
• Alcohol or medications like sleeping pills and anti-histamines causes the muscles in the throat to relax, causing it to block the airway while sleeping.
• Smoking and sinusitis can also cause snoring, again due to the very same basic reasons.
• Snoring is also found to have a genetic trait, in which case treatments can be less effective.
• The size of the pillow is another factor that could induce snoring. That is, if the pillow size is larger, it increases the angle of the neck, sometimes to the extent of obstructing the air passage, especially while lying on the back.
• Like in the case of sinusitis, certain allergies can cause congestion in the nose and the airway, leading to high decibel snoring. This effect is more apparent when the person already has the habit of snoring.
[edit] Related Articles
[edit] More
- Conservative estimates indicate that the United States, Germany and the United Kingdom represent over 70 million snorers alone.
- Women that snore tend to be heavier and shorter than women that do not snore are. Women typically snore through their noses whereas men snore through their noses and mouths. Women are also more likely than men are to seek treatment for snoring. Women typically snore less than men due to smaller necks and larger air passages. Women also have a smaller uvula that makes them less likely to snore.
- The problem of snoring and related sleep disorders is not widely known to the medical community or the public. Both require education on the subject to orient them to this significant problem. Snoring is often considered the first sign of a sleep disorder. Sleep apnea is the most significant problem of those who snore. It is a potential danger for the person and those around them as sleep disorders represent a significant cause of vehicle accidents. Of those suffering from sleep apnea, 70 percent report having been in at least one car accident. Recent studies indicate that more vehicle accidents are caused by sleep disorders than by drunk driving.
