Almost one out of every two Americans adults snore occasionally, and one in four snore regularly. Snoring is more common in males and in those who are overweight. Snoring is a problem that gets worse with age.

Snoring occurs when there is a blockage of free air flow through the back of the mouth and nose. This area is collapsible - when the structures in this area of the breathing pathway strike each other and vibrate during breathing, snoring is the result.

People who snore may suffer from a nasal problem: A stuffy or blocked nose requires extra effort to pull air through it. This creates an exaggerated vacuum in the throat, and pulls together the floppy tissues of the throat. Snoring results. Deformities of the nose or nasal septum, such as a deviated septum, nasal polyps, enlarged adenoids, sinusitis, and other abnormalities can cause such an obstruction.

People who snore may suffer from a throat problem: Children with large tonsils and adenoids often snore. In adults, a long palate or uvula can also narrow the throat. This tissue can dangle in the throat and flutter with breathing, causing snoring. Overweight people have bulky neck tissue and often snore too. Other rare causes, such as cysts or tumors, require evaluation by the specialist. When the muscles in the tongue and throat are too relaxed, the tongue falls backwards into the airway, and/or the throat muscles draw in from the sides into the airway, causing snoring and in some cases even obstruction of breathing. This can happen during deep sleep. This can also happen as an effect of alcohol or drugs that cause sleepiness, or from other causes.

Is Snoring Serious?

Anyone who shares a room with a snorer knows the answer to this question! It can cause sleepless nights and resentment for the non-snoring roommate or spouse.

Snoring can also be a sign of a medically serious problem called Obstructive Sleep Apnea. People who snore should be evaluated by a specialist.

Treatment depends on the diagnosis. An examination will reveal if the snoring is caused by nasal blockage, sinusitis, enlarged tonsils and adenoids, or some other nose and throat problem.

Snoring may respond to various treatments now offered by snoring specialists. At the Nose and Sinus Center, we can perform a fiberoptic endoscopic examination to assess possible causes of snoring.

Recent technology has made treatment more effective, safer, and more comfortable than ever before. For more information on technology, Click here.

FOR MORE DETAILED INFORMATION ON SNORING, SEE OUR OTHER SITE, www.sinustreatmentcenter.com