Causes of Snoring
There are many reasons why people may snore. In some cases it is caused by a physical abnormality in the jaw or throat. In others it may be a result of smoking, obesity or heavy drinking. Certain drugs can cause snoring to be an issue as well.
Snoring once in a while isn’t a big deal, but those who snore heavily over prolonged periods of time are at a greater risk of stress related health issues. This can range from lethargy and blood sugar issues to serious conditions like diabetes and heart disease.
While many of the causes of snoring will be the same for men and women, there are a few things that are different between the genders. If you snore, it’s a good idea to try to find the cause and correct it before health issues become a concern.
What Causes Snoring in Women
Understanding what causes snoring in women can help you or a loved one who may be dealing with this. Women are much less likely to talk to a doctor about snoring because it’s seen as unfeminine or unattractive. Some studies have shown that as many as 30% of adults over 30 snore regularly, yet less than 10% of women over 30 will talk to a doctor or discuss it with any other health care professional.
Since women tend to have higher rates of allergy issues, it stands to reason that this can be a big cause of snoring in women. When allergies start becoming bothersome the sinus cavity swells. This allows less air to pass through. The restricted airflow can cause snoring. Doctors will usually try to rule out allergy or sinus issues when dealing with a snoring patient before looking at other causes.
Women over 40 are more likely than men to snore as a result of being overweight or out of shape. Women are busy, and often fitness takes the backburner over dealing with work and family. Something as simple as trying to get in 15 minutes of good cardiovascular exercise each day can help quell the snoring problem. Dropping 10% of overall body weight for overweight women can also help reduce the problem.
While men are more likely to be diagnosed with sleep apnea, it can also be a problem in women and may cause snoring. Snoring is usually a symptom of sleep apnea. It’s estimated that around 9% of those diagnosed with sleep apnea are women.
Causes of Snoring in Men
The causes of snoring in men can be a little different than in women. Men are more likely to have larger soft palates, which can lead to misalignment of the jaw. This isn’t a problem during the day, but at night this will allow the tongue to fall back into the airway and create the problem of snoring.
Men are also more likely to have excess tissue in the throat from being overweight. This restricts the amount of space necessary for snore-less sleep. When this is an issue the simplest solution is to lose weight.
Sleep apnea is far more common in men than women, and snoring is usually the first sign of this disorder. Sleep apnea shouldn’t be taken lightly. This condition can cause a person to stop breathing hundreds of times throughout the night, interrupting the sleep cycle. It can lead to lethargy during the day, heart disease, an increased risk of stroke and more. A doctor may suggest using a CPAP machine or having a surgery to correct the cause so it doesn’t become serious.
Snoring affects both men and women. The treatments are the same, so if you snore it’s important to look at the underlying causes of snoring in order to find the right treatment.
