Amanda Wojtas Ketikidis - When Is It Normal and When Should You Pay Attention?
For something that happens while we are completely asleep, snoring can certainly make a lot of noise. Almost everyone has experienced it at some point. Maybe it happens after a long, exhausting day, during a bad cold, or after falling asleep on the sofa. For some people, though, snoring becomes a regular part of every night—and it can affect both the person snoring and everyone sleeping nearby. But is snoring simply an annoying nighttime habit, or can it be a sign that something else is going on? The answer depends on the person, the frequency of the snoring, and whether other symptoms are present. Why Do We Snore? Snoring happens when air doesn’t move freely through the nose and throat while we sleep. During sleep, the muscles in the throat naturally relax. As the airway becomes narrower, the tissues surrounding it can vibrate when air passes through. That vibration creates the sound we know as snoring. Several factors can make this more likely. A blocked or congested nose can m...