Snoring as a Warning Sign

Posted by Anthony Lee Jul 11, 2009

Some people like to consider snoring to be an annoying but harmless sleep phenomenon. Is it possible, however, that this supposedly normal occurrence during slumber could be a warning sign for something worse?

During sleep, the muscles of the upper airways and throat relax, reducing the diameter of the air passages. A simple law in physics applies here. When the diameter of a tube is smaller, the resistance faced by liquid or gas flow increases. In the upper airways of humans, this resistance causes tissues to vibrate, resulting in the characteristic sound of snoring.

In severe cases, the airway narrows and closes off. This is the phenomenon known as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). It is a serious condition because sensations of being unable to breathe cause the person to repeatedly wake up. This results in sleep deprivation among other consequences.

Given how loud snoring occurs with narrow airways and OSA occurs when the airways close, it may help to look at snoring, particularly very loud snoring, as a warning sign for OSA. If you have a bed partner who complains that you snore too loudly, consider it more than just a comfort issue for that other person. Consider it a potential health issue for yourself as well.