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Risk factors

By Mayo Clinic staff

Risk factors that may contribute to snoring include:

  • Being a man. Men are more likely to snore or have sleep apnea than are women.
  • Being overweight. People who are overweight or obese are more likely to snore or have obstructive sleep apnea.
  • Having a narrow airway. Some people may have a long soft palate, or large tonsils or adenoids, which can narrow the airway and cause snoring.
  • Drinking alcohol. Alcohol relaxes your throat muscles, increasing the risk of snoring.
  • Having nasal problems. If you have a structural defect in your airway, such as a deviated septum, or your nose is chronically congested, your risk of snoring is greater.
  • Having a family history of snoring or obstructive sleep apnea.
Complications Causes

  • See Also

    • Hand Scheduled
    Section Focus
    Related Links
    Related Guides
    Children
    Parent
  • Sleep apnea
References
  1. Snoring. American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery. http://www.entnet.org/HealthInformation/snoring.cfm. Accessed Aug. 30, 2012.
  2. Beninati W, et al. Overview of snoring in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed Aug. 30, 2012.
  3. Snoring and sleep apnea. American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. http://www.aaoms.org/sleep_apnea.php. Accessed Sept. 6, 2012.
  4. Rosen GM. Mechanisms and predisposing factors for sleep related breathing disorders in children. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed Sept. 6, 2012.
  5. Strohl KP. Sleep related breathing disorders in adults: Definitions. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed Sept. 10, 2012.
  6. Strohl KP. Overview of obstructive sleep apnea in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed Sept. 10, 2012.
  7. Paruthi S. Evaluation of suspected obstructive sleep apnea in children. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed Sept. 10, 2012.
  8. Beninati W. Treatment of adults with snoring. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed Aug. 30, 2012.
  9. Millman RP, et al. Polysomnography in obstructive sleep apnea in adults. http:/www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed Sept. 10, 2012.
  10. Flint PW, et al. Cummings Otolaryngology: Head & Neck Surgery. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05283-2..00019-7&isbn=978-0-323-05283-2&sid=1353392067&uniqId=361428808-4#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05283-2..00019-7. Accessed Sept. 10, 2012.
  11. Dave NB. Initiation of positive airway pressure therapy for obstructive sleep apnea in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed Sept. 10, 2012.
  12. MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane). Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed Sept. 10, 2012.
  13. Puhan MA, et al. Didgeridoo playing as alternative treatment for obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome: Randomised controlled trial. BMJ. 2006;332:266.
  14. Ernst AOE. Can singing exercises reduce snoring? A pilot study. Complementary Therapies in Medicine. 2000;8:151.
  15. Wardrop PJC, et al. Do wind and brass players snore less? A cross-sectional study of snoring and daytime fatigue in professional orchestral musicians. Clinical Otolaryngology. 2011;36:134.
  16. Antoniadou M, et al. Lung function in wind instrument players. Pneumon. 2012;25:180.
  17. Morgenthaler TI (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Oct. 15, 2012.
DS00297 Nov. 7, 2012

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