Older couple walking together happily on beach

What Is Snoring?

Symptoms & Causes

Snoring is a noise that happens when a person is asleep. While it can be softer and sound like grumbling, it is often harsher and sounds more like a snorting or grunting noise. It happens when the muscles of the throat become soft and relaxed, which narrows the airway. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, it is estimated that 45 percent of adults occasionally snore, while 25 percent regularly snore. While it is common and does not always indicate a health problem, it does mean that a person’s breathing is being blocked in some way. It is possible that a snorer has an underlying medical condition that is causing their noisy sleep. Not only does this condition pose problems for the snorer, such as interrupted and restless sleep, but it can also wake up and disrupt your spouse or family members, as well. Over time, a lack of high-quality sleep can contribute to chronic conditions and mental health disorders.

Symptoms Of  Snoring

If you live alone, it may be hard to know for sure if you snore or not. However, if you live with your spouse and/or family, they may let you know that your breathing is loud and disruptive at night. The following are snoring symptoms that indicate you may have a need:

Nighttime Symptoms

  • Soft sounds, such as grumbling or whistling

  • Loud sounds, such as grunting or snorting

  • Tossing and turning

Daytime Symptoms

  • Dry mouth and/or sore throat

  • Fatigue/sleepiness

  • Headaches

  • Moodiness

  • Difficulty focusing

Can Snoring Cause Complications?

Snoring can often cause sleep deprivation, which can lead to many of the above symptoms. Good sleep is important for your overall health, and this issue can have a negative impact on both your sleep and your life. Snoring can also greatly affect the bed partner’s sleep. Lack of sleep can lead to symptoms such as daytime irritability and sleepiness. Long-term snoring can also lead to other health conditions, such as GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) or high blood pressure. If it is a symptom of a larger issue, such as sleep apnea, then it can often cause other, sometimes more severe health complications.

Older couple laying in bed husband snoring

What Causes Snoring?

Snoring can be caused by several different issues. Often, if it is severe, it can actually be caused by sleep apnea, specifically obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA. OSA happens when your breathing is obstructed or blocked while you are asleep. This causes pauses in your breathing at night, which can lead to other health problems if left untreated. However, snoring does not always indicate that you have sleep apnea. It can also be caused by other less severe issues, such as:

  • Obesity

  • Allergies, which can block airways

  • Alcohol, which can loosen the muscles of the throat

  • Smoking, which irritates and narrows airways

  • Nasal congestion

  • Sleeping on your back, which can restrict airways

  • A small airway, which results in a softer than usual palate

  • Exhaustion or sleep deprivation

At Virginia Sleep & TMJ Therapy in Richmond, VA, we aim to help you with this condition so that you gain better quality sleep. This includes looking at any and all snoring symptoms and potential risk factors so that we can diagnose you and help you get the treatment you need.