Mouth Breathing 

Mouth breathing is a type of breathing where air enters and exits the mouth instead of the nose. It is a common breathing disorder that can cause several health problems. Mouth breathing can be caused by a few things, including allergies, a cold, sinus infection, or structural problems with the nose. 

Nasal Congestion 

Nasal congestion is a common problem that can be caused by a variety of things, such as a cold, the flu, allergies, or a sinus infection. When nasal congestion is present, it can lead to difficulty breathing through the nose and snoring. Nasal congestion can also cause discomfort and pain in the face and head. 

Sleep Position 

Sleeping on your back can cause snoring because it can lead to the tongue and soft tissues in the throat falling back and obstructing the airway. Therefore, sleeping on your side is often recommended to reduce or stop snoring. When you sleep on your side, these issues are less likely to collapse. Some positions may trigger snoring, others not. For example, someone may snore when they sleep on one side, but not the other. A sleep study can help determine if sleep position is the cause of snoring. 

Obesity 

When someone is obese, they are more likely to have excess fatty tissues in the neck that can block the airway and lead to snoring. Obesity can also cause breathing problems during sleep, which can lead to snoring. In addition, being overweight can put stress on the respiratory system. A person’s size and weight influence their snoring as well. 

Airway Size 

Some people have smaller airways than others, which can mean they are more prone to snoring. Larger airways allow for a larger passage into the body. As the airway narrows, less oxygen passes into the body. 

Neck Circumference 

One of the reasons why neck circumference can lead to sleep apnea is because it can lead to excess fatty tissues in the neck. When someone has a large neck circumference, it can put pressure on the airway and obstruct airflow. This can lead to snoring and sleep apnea. 

Tongue Size 

The tongue is a muscle that relaxes in the mouth to help hold food, but it can also cause some obstructions of the throat and lead to snoring. Depending on the size of someone’s tongue, they may snore at one position while not at another. For example, if you have a large tongue that falls back during sleep on your back. 

Extra Tissue in the Soft Palate 

Extra tissue in the soft palate can cause obstruction in the nasal area and lead to snoring. When this extra tissue vibrates, it creates the sound of snoring. This tissue can be caused by several things, such as genetics, age, weight, or position during sleep. If you have extra tissue in your soft palate, Dr. Jonathan Hale may recommend consulting with an ear, nose, and throat specialist prior to treatment for snoring. 

Alcohol 

Alcohol decreases the tone of muscles throughout the body, including muscles around the airways. Alcohol is also a depressant that can lead to difficulty breathing and airway collapse. 

Medications 

Some medications can also cause the tissues in the throat to relax and obstruct the airway, leading to snoring. Most sleeping pills are considered a sedative, which basically makes you unconscious. This does not help get quality sleep because you are not properly going through the natural sleep cycle. 

Age 

As people age, they can lose muscle tone in the throat and tongue. This can lead to the tissues in the throat becoming floppy and obstructing the airway, which can cause snoring. In addition, as people age, they are more likely to have nasal congestion, which can lead to snoring. 

Sleep Apnea 

Do you or someone you know snore? Snoring is often the first sign of sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder that causes people to stop breathing for short periods of time during their sleep. This can lead to problems such as excessive daytime sleepiness, poor work performance, and even heart disease. If you think you might have sleep apnea, there are treatments available that can help. Treatment options include lifestyle changes, mouthpieces, or surgery. Talk to your doctor about which treatment is right for you.