In children, this is particularly pertinent. Evidence from one study suggests that even after tonsillectomy was performed to alleviate snoring, the condition still prevailed, with children of parents who smoke being most affected. There is also dose-effect relation between the number of cigarettes smoked and the prevalence of habitual snoring. In former smokers, the prevalence of snoring depends on the length of time since stopping. Role of alcohol Within several minutes of entering the blood stream, alcohol travels to all areas of the body and slows the brain's responses.
Blood vessels dilate, the flow of blood to the skin increases and the muscles relax.
These effects of alcohol cause the muscle tone in the oropharynx to relax in the first instance. This then results in negative inspiratory pharyngeal pressure which leads to the suction collapse of the oropharynx and consequently snoring. Indeed, alcohol intake can induce obstructive sleep apnoea in individuals who are otherwise just snorers. Alcohol also depresses the arousal mechanisms that induce normal breathing and reduces neuromuscular tone in the upper airway muscles which leads to more frequent obstructions of the airway. As with smoking, intake of alcohol causes nasal airway mucosal engorgement, which increases the airway resistance on inspiration.