Causes of Snoring

Oftentimes people coming to our site are wondering about the causes of snoring. They are usually wondering, "why is this happening to me...what is causing this?" In this article, I will quickly outline the primary causes of snoring.

Genetic

Your lower face looks like your mom's, dad's, or a combination of both. You are probably asking yourself, "Okay, but what does that have to do with the causes of snoring." Well, it's more than just your lower face that you inherit from your parents, it is also your throat, tongue, jaw structure, nose, neck, etc. So if your parents had a small, collapsible, floppy upper airway, then so do you: in many cases snoring is genetic. Thus, one of the common causes of snoring is that you inherited it.

Alcohol

It always surprises me when someone doesn't figure this out on their own. During my medical consultation, while I'm investigating the causes of snoring, I will ask, "How much alcohol do you drink?" Occasionally, I'll get an answer like, "Six or seven beers a night." On further questioning, we discover that the snoring really worsened after alcohol consumption increased. Although not always one of the sole causes of snoring, alcohol use can definitely increase snoring. Sometimes this is not as simple as asking the patient to cut back. If you think you have an alcohol problem, go to an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting NOW!

Weight Gain

The other thing that increasing alcohol consumption can do is cause weight gain. In men, in particular, weight gain can happen in the neck area. These fat deposits can change the shape of the throat, increasing the probability of airway vibration and collapse. Thus, weight gain is the third of the primary causes of snoring.

But Snoring Isn't Your Only Concern

In this article, I have outlined three of the most common causes of snoring, but a snorer should always remember this: if you snore you could have sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a deadly disease that if left untreated could lead to high blood pressure, heart disease, and strokes. If you are reading this article about causes of snoring to self-investigate your own snoring then stop what you are doing an call a sleep center. Make an appointment with a sleep physician to determine whether your snoring could be the sign of something much more serious.

Disclaimer: As with all the content on this site, this article is to be viewed as educational only. In no way should this be construed as medical advice. If you are concerned that you might have a sleep disorder, make an appointment with a sleep physician for proper advice.