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Understanding those ZZZ’s

Why Do You Snore Anyway?

We may call sleeping “catching some zzzs”, but if we are discussing HEALTHY sleep, that’s not a good name for it. Why? Although almost everyone does it once in awhile – when they have a cold or have had too much to drink – snoring, in general, isn’t cute, fun, or even ok.

Snoring is caused by resistance in the airway. This usually occurs when the tissues of the throat are so lax or narrow that air can’t pass through in a normal way.  That means the amount of air getting to your lungs is decreased, your heart has to work harder, your sleep cycles are interrupted – and it all interferes with healthy living.

Ask your bed partner
if you snore-

In most cases of snoring or sleep apnea are reported by husbands or wives who are tired of the noise. If your partner also mentions gasping, choking, or a cessation of breath, don’t wait, find and call a ProSomnus® doctor today!

  1. Colds and Allergies – nasal congestion forces you to breathe through your mouth and creates more pressure behind your soft palate and uvula, which leads to “zzz’s” or vibration of the tissue.
  2. Not enough room for your tongue – you may not even notice that your mouth is too small for your tongue… until you relax into sleep, your tongue moves back, obstructs your airway, and causes snoring.
  3. Obesity –weight gain affects all your tissues, even things like neck tissues, and a thicker neck puts a strain on your throat.
  4. Enlarged adenoids or tonsils – Anything that blocks your airway can cause snoring.
  5. Aging – a loss of muscle tone is common in aging, causing the throat to narrow and leading to that zzz sound during sleep.
  6. Sleeping on your back – this sleeping position causes your neck and throat muscles to be at their most relaxed, which can collapse them against each other. The result? More zzz’s than usual.
  7. Sleep apnea – snoring is the primary symptom of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a sleep-related breathing disorder that prevents airflow during sleep – and it’s no joke! Sleep apnea occurs when the tongue and surrounding tissues collapse to the back of the throat, blocking the airway, severely reducing oxygen intake – and it can happen hundreds of times a night!

Even one hour of sleep deprivation has been shown in studies to have an impact on performance. Chronic sleep deprivation has been shown to increase the risk for type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and depression. Those who are sleep deprived also are at greater risk for work-related and auto accidents.

Wonder if Your Snoring is Sleep Apnea? – Take the Epworth Sleepiness Test and find out! If you scored xxxxx or above, find a ProSomnus dentist near you.

Take the Test