Snoring: The most common sleep complaint

As many as 40% of UK adults snore, and men are twice as likely to experience snoring than women. It’s also common for male snoring to be louder too. If you or your bedpartner snore, it’s important to understand why, as there could be a medical reason which, once treated, can improve or even alleviate snoring.

Snoring happens as the soft tissue muscles relax, causing vibration from airflow when we breathe. The snorer doesn’t usually hear themselves snoring, so it is often the bedpartner who suffers from a lack of sleep after being kept awake through the night, and their complaints in the morning that informs the snorer of the noise they made! Did you know that snoring is even a common reason for divorce? It’s no surprise that a lack of sleep caused by snoring, can lead to a short temper the following day, resulting in more arguments, putting a strain on a relationship.

Common causes of snoring

So, we know that snoring is a result of vibrations caused by airflow in the throat, and the biggest driver of these vibrations is the speed at which the air moves. Being overweight leads to a fatty deposit area in the neck, which restricts the air passage, so the air has to flow even quicker to get enough oxygen. This means that weight can play a big part in whether or not we snore, and oftentimes, people are able to reduce their snoring by losing weight.

Alcohol consumption can also increase the likelihood and severity of snoring. This is because when intoxicated, the muscles become more relaxed in the air passage, and this restriction again leads to more vibration in the throat. You find that the more you drink, the worse your snoring becomes.

Certain medication may also impact snoring. It’s important to discuss with your GP if you think your medication is affecting your sleep.