Do You Snore When You Sleep?
- dnyaneshchaudhari0
- Jul 10
- 3 min read
Dr. Vivek Baliga
Cardiologist and Consultant Physician
Dr. Vivek Baliga B. is a consultant physician and cardiologist, and director of Baliga Diagnostics in Bengaluru. He is a keen advocate of patient education and loves to blog about all things health-related. Learn more about him at drvivekbaliga.com.
Snoring is a common condition that occurs when air flows through the relaxed tissues in the throat, causing them to vibrate and produce a sound. While snoring may seem harmless, it can indicate underlying health issues and significantly impact overall well-being. Understanding the causes, physiological basis, and potential effects on vital organs like the heart and lungs can help address this condition effectively.
What is Snoring?
Snoring is the sound produced by turbulent airflow during breathing while sleeping. This noise results from the vibration of relaxed soft tissues in the airway, such as the uvula (that tiny hanging thing in the throat), soft palate, and throat muscles. Although most people snore occasionally, habitual snoring can lead to disturbed sleep patterns and strain interpersonal relationships. Remember, a person snoring during sleep doesn’t make it a good sleep.
Common Reasons for Snoring
Snoring can occur for various reasons, ranging from temporary lifestyle factors to chronic health conditions.
Structural Factors
Certain physical characteristics can make individuals more prone to snoring. People with smaller air passages are more likely to snore. Nasal polyps, deviated nasal septum (a bent nasal bone), or chronic sinus issues can restrict airflow. Enlarged tonsils or adenoids can block the airway, especially in children. Excess fat around the neck compresses the airway.
Lifestyle Factors
Alcohol relaxes throat muscles, increasing the likelihood of snoring. Smoking irritates the airway, causing swelling and narrowing. Sleeping on the back allows the tongue to fall backwards, partially obstructing airflow.
Medical Conditions
Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a serious disorder in which the airway becomes completely blocked during sleep, causing pauses in breathing. It can lead to high blood pressure and heart disease if left untreated. Allergic reactions can inflame the nasal passages and make breathing difficult. Hormonal changes and weight gain during pregnancy can lead to snoring.
How Snoring Affects the Heart and Lungs Habitual snoring, particularly when linked to obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), can have significant negative effects on your heart and lungs. Snoring affects oxygen levels in the blood, which can stress the heart. Repeated pauses in breathing can activate the body’s stress response, leading to increased blood pressure. Over time, this can strain the heart. Poor oxygenation can cause irregular heartbeats, increasing the risk of atrial fibrillation. Chronic snoring and sleep apnoea can weaken the heart muscle, potentially leading to heart failure.
Snoring can also affect lung function negatively. Episodes of airway obstruction lower oxygen intake, making it harder for the lungs to provide adequate oxygen to the bloodstream. Persistent low oxygen levels can raise pressure in the pulmonary arteries, putting additional strain on the lungs and heart.
Apart from its impact on vital organs, snoring can contribute to various other health and lifestyle issues. Frequent interruptions to breathing disturb the sleep cycle, leaving individuals feeling tired and irritable during the day. Lack of restful sleep can lead to problems with concentration, memory, and decision-making. Snoring often disturbs the sleep of bed partners, leading to frustration and potential conflict. Daytime sleepiness caused by poor-quality sleep increases the risk of accidents, particularly while driving or operating machinery.
Treatment Options
Lifestyle Modifications:
Reducing body weight can relieve pressure on the airway. Regular exercise and deep breathing exercises can help a great deal. Focus on a low-calorie diet to help with effective weight loss. Sleeping on one’s side instead of the back can minimise airway obstruction, though it may not help in some. Stopping smoking and alcohol can reduce snoring severity.
Medical Interventions:
This is usually recommended if lifestyle measures do not work, or if the snoring is already affecting the heart and lungs. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices keep the airway open by delivering constant airflow. It is usually prescribed for sleep apnoea. Surgical procedures like uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) or nasal surgery can remove obstructions in the airway. Surgeries are however, rarely offered unless the condition is too severe.
Home Remedies:
Steam Inhalation clears nasal congestion and promotes smoother airflow. Raising the head of the bed can prevent the tongue and soft tissues from blocking the airway.