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What is snoring? Snoring is noise produced from the soft palate (the soft part of the back of the roof of the mouth) and other parts of the upper respiratory tract. It is most common in men, especially older, middle-aged, obese men. Around 40 per cent of all adults snore at sometime during their adult life. Snoring in itself is not dangerous, but it can be the cause of real problems between sleeping partners and it can also be the first indication the sufferer is developing obstructive sleep apnoea. What causes snoring? - Snoring in children is often caused by enlarged tonsils and adenoids.
- Buck teeth or a very small lower jaw can mean that the tongue is too large for the space available.
- A very long soft palate (the soft part of the back of the roof of the mouth) will narrow the space between it and the back of the throat and can contribute to the problem.
- Restricted air passage through the nose, for example because of a deviated nasal septum (the cartilage which divides the two nostrils) can cause problems when person inhales, causing snoring. This is also why people snore more when they have a cold.
- Nasal adenoids, nasal allergies and nasal growths can also limit the passage of air through the nose.
- Obesity which results in fatty tissue pressing on the upper respiratory tract and causing it to narrow.
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Snoring
