Snoring is one of the most common breathing disorders during sleep. This is an acoustic phenomenon that relies on the relaxation of muscles and the free flow of exhaled air – as a result, the flaccid parts of the throat vibrate and sound of different volumes appears. People with an overgrown uvula, elongated soft palate, enlarged tonsils, a small mandible, and a reserve of fatty tissue on the chin are predisposed to this ailment. Age, eating large meals at bedtime, drinking alcohol or smoking cigarettes may also be an additional factor that may aggravate snoring. Statistically, this ailment is more common in men, but it happens just as often in women after the age of 50. Snoring can have a negative impact on the health and well-being of the patient during the day as it disturbs sleep and reduces oxygenation in the body. Failure to treat snoring can result in sleep apnea, the development of cardiovascular disease, decreased libido and even depression.
