Causes of Snoring in Women

Though a majority of adults snore occasionally, there might be some who, to the misfortune of their partners, snore heavily every night. If you are a light-sleeper, and your partner snores loudly every night, you might not get the restorative sleep your body needs. Most people are not even aware of the fact that they snore, until they see their irritated sleep-deprived partners. Well, instead of feeling embarrassed about your loud snoring, you must make efforts to solve this problem. Whether it's a man or a woman who snores, the person sleeping next to him/her is definitely being deprived of the sleep. You might have heard of women complaining about their partner's snoring, but that doesn't mean women don't snore. Though the main causes of snoring in women are not different from that of men, hormonal changes that take place in different phases of a woman's life must be taken into consideration. Given below is some information on snoring causes and treatment.

What Causes Snoring in Women?

The sound that is heard when a person snores, arises when the soft tissues that are located at the back of the throat vibrate due to constricted airways. The snoring sounds get louder when the vibrations increase. When you are in a deep sleep, your tongue and the muscles that are present in the soft palate are relaxed. When the airways are constricted, the flow of air becomes irregular and forceful. It's this forceful airflow, that causes the relaxed muscles and tissues of the throat to vibrate. Any condition that restricts the airways while one is asleep, will therefore be a causal factor. Here's some information on the common contributory factors or risk factors for snoring in women.

Obesity: Obesity is one of the determining factors when it comes to snoring in women. Women who are obese are more likely to snore, due to the presence of excess fat around their neck. This excess fat could cause the airways to become constricted. When such women are in deep sleep, the muscles in the throat are relaxed, the irregular and forceful airflow due to obstructed airways, will cause the structures in the throat to vibrate. The more the structures vibrate, the louder will the snoring sounds be.

Menopause: Estrogen is a respiratory stimulant and helps in preventing muscles from relaxing. Since estrogen levels fall during menopause, snoring is more common in women undergoing menopause. If women also gain weight during this phase, the fat will cause constriction of airways while they are asleep. Their muscles might be more relaxed due to low estrogen levels during menopause. This is why some women start snoring in their late 40s.

Sleeping Posture: The airways can also get constricted in case of women who sleep on their back. When you lie on your back, your tongue falls back towards the throat. Thus, your tongue might obstruct the airways. If you sleep on your back, sleep on your sides, and ask your partner whether it made a difference or not.

Alcohol: Women who indulge in excessive consumption of alcohol might also snore heavily. This is due to the fact that alcohol relaxes the muscles around the throat. The more relaxed these muscles are, the more will they vibrate, and hence, the louder will the snoring sounds be. Alcohol abuse also makes one more susceptible to a sleeping disorder called sleep apnea.

Blocked Nasal Passages: Women who often suffer from sinus infections, common cold, flu, rhinitis or allergies are also likely to snore due to nasal congestion. When the nasal passages are blocked, one will be forced to indulge in mouth-breathing, which in turn, could give rise to snoring. Since smoking can inflame the nasal passages and cause nasal congestion, quitting smoking would certainly prove beneficial. At times, enlargement of tonsils due to infections can also restrict the airways and cause occasional snoring.

Anatomical Abnormalities: There is a greater likelihood of snoring if one has a low and thick soft palate or an elongated uvula. The soft palate is a flap of tissue that separates the nasal passages from the back of the mouth. When we breathe in, the soft palate moves forward and opens the airway for air to pass into the lungs.

How to Tackle the Problem of Snoring

Well, those of you who are worried that snoring might affect your personal life can try some simple remedies. If you sleep on your back, then try changing your sleeping posture. Many people have benefited from sleeping on their sides. Since excess fat near the neck region can cause one to snore, try to lose weight. It will certainly help. Women who smoke and drink are more susceptible to snoring, so, they definitely have some lifestyle choices to make. The earlier, you quit smoking and drinking alcohol, the better. Heavy snorers can also try some exercises to tone up the muscles in the throat. Besides these measures, using snoring aids such as a snoring mouthpiece or snoring chin strap might work for some. Though certain surgical procedures can help in correcting anatomical abnormalities, it's always better to rely on natural remedies as there are no risks involved.

While you might be in deep slumber, unaware of the loud noises you make, your partner might have a tough time sleeping. If you are having a tough time catching sleep due to your partner's persistent and loud snoring, suggest these remedies. On a concluding note, think about your partner's need for restorative sleep and take the necessary steps soon.