C/V ENT Surgical Group's Resources

Snoring is considered an annoying social problem that irritates bed partners and family members. But there's more to this sleep disorder that affects nearly half the adult population.

Why do people snore in their sleep? Snoring is the sound that results when breathing is obstructed. Some factors that lead to snoring include poor muscle tone, a long soft palate, and bulky tongue muscle tissue. Snoring might also be a warning sign that you're suffering from a condition that interferes with your breathing during sleep. Such conditions include nasal polyps, sinus infections, or a deviated septum.

Poor muscle tone causes partial collapse of the palate and tongue while you sleep, reducing the size of the breathing passage. That causes the palate to vibrate as you struggle to pull the air through the restricted route. While it's easy to dismiss it as a bothersome habit, snoring can be a sign of a severe medical condition known as Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).

If you wake up in the morning and still feel exhausted, there's a chance that you're facing frequent sleep interruptions during the night. These changes in breathing and micro-coughs may not even be remembered upon waking. However, can really add up by creating feelings of sleep deprivation in you and your partner.

It is estimated that nearly 25% of adults snore regularly, with 45% occasionally making the sleep sounds. Although it is a common problem, it can disrupt sleep patterns and frustrate listeners. Those seeking a better night's sleep — or irritated partners hoping for a miracle — are often curious if habits in their lives can contribute to the issue.

What if you stopped breathing for a total of 10 minutes every hour? This may be happening if you have sleep apnea, a common sleep disorder, in which your breathing stops or becomes extremely shallow temporarily. These pauses can last 10 to 20 seconds and can occur more than 30 times per hour! In its most common form, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is caused by an airway that is narrowed or blocked.

Snoring can affect your quality of life, and that of your partner. The loss of sleep quality can impact every aspect of your life – your short and long-term health, your productivity, and your relationships. There are a number of causes of snoring, and one of them is corrected by a septoplasty.

Snoring may be the focus of some jokes and cartoons, but for people who snore and those who live with them, it is not a laughing matter. Snoring reduces the length and quality of sleep for the snorer, his or her bed partner, and sometimes the entire household. Snoring is a common problem among all ages and both men and women. Approximately 90 million American adults snore, 37 million on a regular basis. Some causes of snoring are temporary such as pregnancy or upper respiratory distress caused by a cold or the flu. Persistent snoring needs to be addressed, and there are many remedies. Some require making minor changes; others require medical intervention.