Snoring (Rhonchopathy): Causes

Pathogenesis (development of disease)

Snoring occurs when the upper airway narrows during sleep due to relaxation of the muscles. The airflow causes vibration of the soft tissues in the pharynx (soft palate sounds), which is manifested as snoring.

Soft palate snoring is a relatively low-frequency sound (<500 Hz); tongue base snoring is much higher frequency.

Etiology (Causes)

Biographic causes

Biographic causes

  • Anatomical variants of the upper airway such as a jaw that is too small
  • Age – increasing age
  • Hormonal factors – menopause, andropause (menopause of the woman / man).

Behavioral causes

  • Consumption of stimulants
    • Alcohol – evening alcohol consumption
  • Sleeping in the supine position
  • Being overweight (BMI ≥ 25; obesity)

Disease-related causes

  • Laryngeal stenosis – narrowing of the larynx.
  • Nasal obstruction (nasal airway obstruction).
    • Adenoid hyperplasia – hyperplasia of the tonsil pharyngea/pharyngeal tonsil (synonyms: tonsil pharyngealis, tonsil pharyngica, adenoid vegetations or, more commonly, polyps).
    • House dust mite allergy
    • Nasal septum deviation – curvature of the nasal septum.
    • Rhinitis (rhinitis) with restricted nasal breathing.
    • Tumors in the nasopharynx
  • Tonsillar hyperplasia – enlargement of the lymphoid organs (tonsils/melons) in the oral cavity and pharynx.

Medication