What Can It Mean When You Snore?
Snoring is that loud or harsh breathing that most people are not even aware they are doing unless a spouse or someone sleeping in proximity registers a complaint. Snoring is very common among adults, and if the snoring is severe, it can be an indication of an underlying condition.
In a few cases, severe snoring is a sign of a condition called sleep apnea, which means that a person partially or even completely stops breathing for a period of more than 10 seconds. This is followed by a sudden gasp or snort when the person begins to breathe again.
The causes of snoring can be related to these following conditions.
Obesity or simply being overweight may cause excessive tissue build-up in the neck area, which can result in added pressure constricting the airway.
Last trimester of pregnancy
Colds or allergies that cause nasal congestion for long periods of time
Tissue on the roof of the mouth or uvula that becomes swelled
Adenoids or tonsils become swelled
Use of antihistamines or sleeping pills
Use of alcohol at bedtime
In the majority of snoring cases, the reason is not clearly known, only that the fatty tissue in the back of the throat become relaxed, restricting the airway, causing a vibration, which is snoring.