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.
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