COVID-19 Video Player is loading. What causes snoring? Is it really possible to ‘cure’ snoring? And if you snore, why is it important to know the reason? Learn more Why do we snore? Some people snore because of the shape of their nose or jaw. If you have an enlarged tongue or tonsils or carry excess weight around the neck, you’ll also be prone to snoring. Other factors that can cause you to snore, or snore more loudly, include fatigue, excess weight, pregnancy, sleeping on your back, and drinking alcohol before bed. When we’re asleep, the muscles in our necks relax. Sometimes, they relax so much that the upper airway partially closes, narrowing the passageway through which air travels to our lungs. This narrowing makes the air vibrate in your throat when you breathe, causing the familiar sound of snoring. Facts about snoring Snoring is common It’s estimated that 40% of the investigated population reported snoring, proportion is age-dependent1 Family and partners lose sleep 95% of snorers say that their snoring bothers their family or partner2 Snoring and commorbities Snorers are 1.6 times more likely to develop arterial hypertension within four years of beginning to snore3 People who snore may also have sleep apnoea 1 in 3 men and 1 in 5 women who snore could suffer from sleep apnoea4 A proven treatment An oral appliance like Narval successfully stops loud snoring in almost 8 of 10 people who use it5 Snoring can also be a sign of a serious medical disorder: obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) OSA is a sleep breathing disorder that’s characterised by breathing pauses called apnoeas. These last for 10 to 30 seconds or more and can be repeated more than 30 times per hour. These apnoeas lead to micro-awakenings that disrupt your sleep and affect your quality of life and your health. OSA affects about 3-17% of the male population, but more than 80% of patients are not diagnosed.6 Keep exploring Treatment for snoring Dozens of products claim to treat snoring. Our Narval dental device is a clinically proven solution that prevents loud snoring in 89% of patients who use it. Narval is thin, light, discreet and custom-made to fit in your mouth and does not disturb you while you sleep.5 Explore Tips for better sleep Your lifestyle could be making you snore. Here are our recommendations for little changes that could help you enjoy a better (and quieter) night’s sleep. Explore What is sleep apnoea? Many people have sleep apnoea, but may not even know it. In fact, sleep apnoea affects more than 3 in 10 men and nearly 1 in 5 women, so it’s more common than you might think.7 Explore References: Ohayon, M.M., et al., Snoring and breathing pauses during sleep: telephone interview survey of a United Kingdom population sample. BMJ, 1997. 314(7084): p. 860-3. A+A Healthcare study undertaken with 95 patients who wore Narval CC (Equinox in France) in 2011. Hu, F.B., et al., Prospective study of snoring and risk of hypertension in women. Am J Epidemiol, 1999. 150(8): p. 806-16. Read More Patients and families > [...] > Snoring > What causes snoring? ResMed CPAP masks Choosing the right CPAP mask AirFit N30 nasal mask AirFit N30i nasal mask AirFit N20 nasal mask AirFit F20 full face mask CPAP machines and apps AirMini AirMini app AirSense 10 AutoSet AirSense 10 AutoSet for Her myAir Respiratory care machines Lumis Stellar Astral Patient support Starting your CPAP therapy at home Monitoring your CPAP therapy Stay Connected ResMed Sleep Clinic ResMed Official Online Shop About ResMed Investors Legal & IP Privacy Security Careers Cookies Modern Slavery Statement RESMED United Kingdom Quad 1, First Floor, Becquerel Ave, Harwell Campus OX11 0RA Didcot, United Kingdom Tel:+441235 862997 ©2000-2021 ResMed. All rights reserved. About cookies With your consent, we use cookies to provide you with the best possible experience on our website, personalise content and ads, and to analyse our traffic. To learn more about cookies, please view our Cookie policy. Accept All Cookies Cookies Settings