Snoring

Snoring is the act of breathing through the open mouth in such a way as to cause a vibration of the uvula and soft palate, thus giving rise to a sound which may vary from a soft noise to a loud unpleasant sound. This most commonly occurs during sleep.

Related Topics:
Uvula - Soft palate - Sleep

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The cause of snoring is some kind of blockage in the breathing passage. Those blockages can be of many kinds—here are just a few:

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• Tongue falling into the throat
• Allergies
• Throat weakness causing the throat to close during sleep
• Mispositioned jaw, often caused by tension in muscles
• Fat gathering in, and around, the throat

The list of what can cause snoring is almost endless, but it is always some kind of blockage in the breathing passage.

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When the airflow in the breathing passage becomes irregular (because of the blockage) then the soft palate starts flapping. This flapping of the soft palate is what makes the snoring sound.

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About sixty percent of men, and thirty percent of women suffer from snoring. This is probably one of the most common dysfunctions known.

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Most of the time snoring is considered not dangerous, but if serious it can become a life threatening sickness called sleep apnea.

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Even if snoring may not be detrimental to the snorer, it can cause the snorer's bedmate to lose sleep. Being sleepy all day long can also be life threatening for the person and those around them. Also, studies have shown that there is a psychological component in snoring which causes discomfort in any listener, depending on the volume, tone, frequency, and other auditorially measurable qualities of the snore. Studies have shown that there is a direct inverse relationship between snoring and frequency of sexual activity between married partners, meaning that there is generally less sexual activity if one of the partners is a heavy snorer.

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Snoring is usually an involuntary act during sleep, but may also be produced voluntarily.

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According to Dr. William C Dement, of the Stanford Sleep Center, anyone who snores and has daytime drowsiness should be evaluated for sleep disorders.

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The loudest snore on record was 93 decibels.

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