FACTORS WHICH CONTRIBUTE TO SNORING: NASAL OBSTRUCTION, SMOKING AND INCIDENCE

Nasal obstruction

Conditions such as allergic rhinitis which cause swelling of the nasal passages or more permanent forms of nasal obstruction such as nasal polyps may also cause snoring, particularly when there are other predisposing factors. Blocked nasal passages increase the total resistance of the upper airway; the muscles used for breathing have to work harder to overcome this resistance hence a greater negative pressure is generated which tends to suck in the walls of the pharynx.

Smoking

Cigarette smoking is not only a risk factor for lung and cardiovascular disease. Chronic inflammation of the nasal passages and other components of the upper airway are more likely in smokers, having the same effect as other forms of upper respiratory tract obstruction. Smoking should be regarded as a risk factor for snoring.

Incidence

It wouldn't be difficult to convince the average lay person that snoring is a common occurrence. We all know someone or have heard stories about someone who snores, but accurate estimates of the incidence of snoring are not easily established. Problems arise when we start asking questions about snoring. For a start, how do you get reliable information from people who sleep by themselves, and how do you classify the ones who snore "sometimes"? Despite these methodological problems, some impressive studies have been reported. A study in Italy involving about 6000 subjects showed that 20% of the selected population were habitual snorers with a further 15% being occasional snorers. A study in Toronto, Canada, collected data on 2629 subjects from a wide variety of ethnic and socioeconomic groups resulting in an overall snoring incidence of 42%.9 Detailed analysis of these and subsequent studies tells us a great deal about snoring in different age groups and the association with other medical complaints such as obesity, hypertension and heart disease. Several important trends emerge, particularly the higher incidence of snoring in males and the fact that we are more likely to snore as we get older.

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GENERAL HEALTH