Chronic Snoring

Snoring can be an irritation to the snorer and to others in the house who have to hear him or her. It can also be a potentially serious problem requiring medical attention.

People of all ages, types, and kinds snore, although it is more common in men than women and more common in heavier people. About 40 million Americans, 40% of men and 30% of women, and their bed partners suffer from chronic snoring, with up to half of those having sleep apnea (see next section). Chronic snoring is associated with an increased incidence of heart and brain-related diseases. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office lists more than 300 anti-snoring devices which try to do one or more of the following:

• Keep the snorer off his or her back;
• Keep the mouth closed and prevent the tongue from falling backward;
• Keep the neck lengthened; and
• Startle the snorer awake with a shock or other stimulus.

However, before turning to such remedies, a snorer should consult a doctor to make sure that he or she does not suffer from sleep apnea.

People of all ages, types, and kinds snore, although it is more common in men than women and more common in heavier people.

A large soft palate or uvula contributes to the probability of snoring, which is part of the reason overweight people snore more. Drinking alcohol (or consuming another sedative) can contribute to snoring. It makes your muscles relax, including the your mouth and throat muscles. That’s why some people snore more when they are drunk, and loud snoring is a hallmark of someone who has passed out drunk.

Anatomical configurations of the mouth and nasal passages can cause snoring.

Do fat people always snore?

No, not always. Different people have different anatomies, different sleep positions, different configurations of their uvulas, different muscle tones. However, both anecdotal evidence and more formal studies show a correlation between snoring and obesity.

"Laugh and the world laughs with you. Snore and you sleep alone." - Anthony Burgess

Snoring solutions

A German scientist recently developed a pillow that detects snoring sounds and moves to effect a shift in the head's position. News story here.

Sleep Disorders

Dyssomnias

Parsomnias

"It’s been a hard day’s night
I’ve been workin´ like a dog
It’s been a hard day’s night
And I’ll be sleepin´ like a log…. "

(John Lennon and Paul McCartney)