The Mechanism of Snoring

The Mechanism of Snoring

Snoring is the sound produced when soft tissues in the upper airway vibrate during sleep. T

he main cause is narrowing or obstruction of the airway. During sleep, muscles relax and the tongue root, soft palate, and pharyngeal walls fall backward, narrowing the airway. When air passes through this narrowed space, surrounding soft tissues vibrate, producing snoring sounds.

The volume and frequency of snoring changes depending on the degree of airway narrowing. In mild cases, it’s just snoring, but when severe, it can lead to sleep apnea syndrome.

Factors contributing to snoring include obesity, aging, alcohol consumption, sleeping medication use, nasal congestion, enlarged tonsils, enlarged tongue, and jaw abnormalities.

Particularly, sleeping on one’s back tends to worsen snoring due to gravity causing the tongue root to fall backward.

To improve snoring, it is important to address these factors. Lifestyle improvements, weight management, and maintaining proper sleeping positions are effective measures.

Snoring is a Sign of Sleep Apnea Syndrome

Snoring often serves as an important warning sign of Sleep Apnea Syndrome (SAS).

While not all snoring indicates SAS, loud and irregular snoring requires attention. In SAS, breathing repeatedly stops or decreases during sleep.

This occurs due to upper airway obstruction, and snoring is also related to this obstruction.

Most SAS patients snore loudly, but the characteristic feature is sudden loud gasping or snoring sounds after breathing stops.

The characteristics of snoring may suggest SAS.

• Loud and irregular snoring
• Breathing interruptions or sounds of struggling to breathe
• Snoring accompanied by excessive daytime sleepiness
• Snoring accompanied by frequent nighttime awakenings

When these symptoms are present, it is important to consider the possibility of SAS and receive a diagnosis from a specialist. Early detection and appropriate treatment reduce the risk of complications such as heart disease and high blood pressure, and improve quality of life.

Sleep Apnea Syndrome is Commonly Seen in Middle-aged and Older Men

In Japan, approximately 60% of people who snore are middle-aged and older men, and it is estimated that 30-40% of them have sleep apnea syndrome.

Additionally, sleep apnea syndrome affects about 9% of men and about 3% of women, and research results show that such individuals have about 2.4 times more accident experiences due to sleep deprivation.

Many people go without treatment, but we recommend seeking treatment early before serious accidents such as traffic accidents occur.

Physical Risks from Sleep Apnea Syndrome

SAS is not just a sleep disorder, but a condition that can have serious effects on the entire body. The main risks are as follows:

Cardiovascular Diseases

• High blood pressure
• Arrhythmia
• Myocardial infarction
• Stroke

Metabolic Disorders

• Diabetes
• Metabolic
  syndrome

Effects on Mental and Nervous Systems

• Depression
• Cognitive decline
• Memory impairment

Problems from Excessive Daytime Sleepiness

• Increased risk of traffic accidents
• Decreased work efficiency
• Risk of occupational accidents

Decline in Quality of Life

• Chronic fatigue
• Sexual dysfunction
• Interference with social life

Other Health Problems

• Liver dysfunction
• Weakened immune system

These risks increase according to the severity and duration of SAS. With proper diagnosis and treatment, many risks can be reduced or prevented. Early detection and early treatment are extremely important.