Many of us do it at night. It is involuntary and we cannot help it, because we usually are not aware we are snoring, until we wake ourselves up with a fright when we get to loud. It often becomes more prevalent after the age of 30. According to some studies, as many as 59 percent of adults admit to it and until the point when a woman reaches menopause, her male counterparts are twice as likely as she is to start snoring. Pediatricians even report that at least 5 percent of children snore habitually as well.



Regularly and consistently snoring is no longer being treated as ones quirk or idiosyncrasy by the medical community. Large amounts of money and a multitude of research studies are being conducted to understand and treat what is now understood to be both the symptom of a more serious problem, like sleep apnea or in some cases and the cause of other various conditions.

Snoring is obstructed breathing during sleep which causes vibrations in the tissues of your throat and respiratory structures, resulting in sound. The louder the snoring, the more forceful the air flow, the more narrowed and obstructed the airway, thus the more serious the problem could be.

There are many contributing factors to airflow blockage during sleep, but the most common culprits tend to be an elongated uvula, a low palate, or enlarged tonsils or adenoids. Being overweight can be a contributing factor to blockage of the throat. A deviated nasal septum or chronic nasal congestion could be to blame. Alcohol consumption before bed can relax your throat muscles and dull your natural defenses against airway constriction as well.

Sleep apnea, a condition which may cause a person to stop breathing for brief periods throughout the night, it is of great concern and certainly requires attention from a physician. If you suspect a loved one is suffering from sleep apnea, you must discuss your concerns, they may not realize what is happening, it is not just annoying and disruptive to the sleep of others, it can be quite dangerous and needs to be addressed.

That is certainly not the only serious health concern related to habitual snoring, as some doctors now believe that persistent snoring due to chronic airway obstruction can increase a persons life time risk of stroke, high blood pressure, and heart problems including failure. Obstructive sleep apnea in children can possibly increase the risk of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Therefore, no matter the age of your loved one, if you suspect such conditions related to their snoring, it is essential to discuss it and help them to seek treatment.

Even mild snoring can have a very negative impact on the quality of ones daily life. It can amount to sleep deprivation, causing irritability, daytime drowsiness, an inability to focus, and also a decrease in libido. Researchers have also suggested that night snoring may contribute to social and psychological damage to those suffering from it.

So, it may be worthwhile to learn about a method of prevention before you or your loved ones snoring escalates. Not only will it help the both of you to attain a better nights sleep and feel more rested, energized, and well during the day, but it can also help to decrease the risk of some serious health conditions in the future! Enjoy your Sleep on that!