Why You Snore and What It Could Be Telling You About Your Health

Snoring may be dismissed as a harmless habit, but it can actually serve as a warning sign for deeper health concerns. Whether you're the one snoring or you’re losing sleep because of a partner’s nightly noise, understanding why snoring occurs is the first step toward finding relief and improving your overall well-being.
 

What Causes Snoring?

Snoring occurs when airflow is disrupted as it passes through the airway during sleep, causing the surrounding tissues to vibrate. But what leads to this obstruction? Several underlying factors may be at play:
 

• Airway Narrowing or Blockage: Structural issues like a deviated septum, enlarged tonsils, excess tissue in the throat, or even jaw misalignment can reduce airflow and increase the likelihood of snoring.

• TMJ Disorders and Jaw Misalignment: When the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) doesn’t function properly, it can alter the position of the jaw and tongue, leading to a partially blocked airway.

• Muscle Laxity During Sleep: The muscles in your throat naturally relax during sleep, but factors like alcohol use, sedatives, and aging can worsen this relaxation, allowing soft tissues to collapse and obstruct airflow.

• Nasal Congestion or Mouth Breathing: Allergies, sinus infections, and chronic congestion often lead to mouth breathing, which increases vibration and snoring.

• Weight Gain: Excess fat around the neck can constrict the airway and impair normal breathing patterns during sleep.

What Snoring Might Say About Your Health

Snoring can be a symptom of more serious health conditions. Ignoring it may lead to long-term consequences that impact not only your sleep but also your overall well-being. One of the most immediate effects of snoring is chronic sleep deprivation. Disrupted breathing prevents you from reaching the deeper, restorative stages of sleep, leaving you feeling tired and sluggish throughout the day.
 

Poor sleep quality can also result in cognitive impairment. When your brain doesn’t get the rest it needs, your ability to focus, remember details, and make sound decisions suffers. In addition, a lack of quality sleep can lead to mood instability. Many people who snore or experience disrupted sleep report increased irritability, anxiety, and even symptoms of depression.
 

Morning headaches and jaw pain are other common issues. These may indicate that TMJ dysfunction or sleep-disordered breathing is contributing to the problem, especially if you're also experiencing clicking or popping in the jaw.
 

Perhaps most importantly, snoring can point to serious cardiovascular concerns. It's often associated with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a condition where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. Left untreated, OSA can increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes.
 

Solutions Tailored to the Root Cause

At TMJ & Sleep Therapy Centre of San Diego, we understand that every patient’s situation is unique. We focus on diagnosing and addressing the root cause of your snoring rather than just masking the symptoms.
 

Our comprehensive treatment options include:
 

• Custom Sleep Appliances: These oral devices help reposition the jaw and tongue to keep the airway open, offering a comfortable and effective alternative to CPAP therapy for many patients.

• Laser Therapy: A non-invasive approach that tightens the tissues in the throat to reduce the risk of airway collapse and decrease snoring.

Ready to Stop Snoring and Start Sleeping?

Snoring could be your body's way of signaling that something more serious is going on. Don’t ignore it. We’re here to help you breathe easier, sleep better, and feel your best.
 

Schedule a consultation with TMJ & Sleep Therapy Centre of San Diego to learn more about our personalized treatment options for snoring and related conditions. Visit our office in La Mesa, California, or call (619) 762-4379 to book an appointment today.