By the way, doctor: Is snoring bad for my health?
The sources of snoring vary. Nasal passages may be swollen by a cold, an allergy, or smoking. A deformity such as a deviated nasal septum (the wall separating the nostrils) can obstruct the airway. Breathing through a stuffy or blocked nose creates a vacuum in the throat and causes the floppy tissues of the upper airway to draw together. A large uvula, tonsils, adenoids, soft palate, or tongue, or a small jaw, may be part of the problem. Poor muscle tone in the tongue and jaw, excess weight, and use of alcohol or sedating drugs may also contribute. Sleeping on your back tends to make the problem worse.
To continue reading this article, you must log in.
Subscribe to Harvard Health Online Plus (HHO+) to unlock expert-backed health insights, personalized tools, and exclusive resources to feel your best every day.
Here’s what you get with your HHO+ membership:
- Unlimited access to all Harvard Health Online content
- 4 expertly curated newsletters delivered monthly
- Customized website experience aligned to your health goals
- In-depth health guides on topics like sleep, exercise, and more
- Interactive features like videos and quizzes
- Members-only access to exclusive articles and resources
I’d like to subscribe to HHO+ for $4.99/month to access expert-backed content to help make smart, informed decisions about my well-being.
Sign Me UpAlready a member? Login ».
Disclaimer:
As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles.
No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
