According to Prof Ram Dhillon, a consultant ENT surgeon, around 25% of people snore, with the British Snoring and Sleep Apnoea Association estimating it at 41.5% in the UK. Snoring occurs due to upper airways narrowing, causing turbulent airflow. When airways become more constricted, they can lead to obstructive sleep apnoea, which disrupts breathing temporarily for over 10 seconds, leading to choking or gasping noises during sleep.
Dr. Sriram Iyer notes that while most people with sleep apnoea snore, not all snorers have sleep apnoea. The airway's structure is not rigid; it contains flexible parts, and during sleep, muscles that keep the upper airway open relax, which can narrow the passages and increase the chance of snoring. Alcohol relaxes throat muscles further, contributing to snoring, and lying on one's back can exacerbate the condition due to gravity's effects.
Being overweight or obese is identified as the most common cause of snoring, as excess tissue around the neck reduces the airway diameter. Prof. Dhillon emphasizes that understanding the mechanisms behind snoring could provide pathways to alleviate its impact on relationships, especially since it is a prevalent issue affecting significant portions of the population.
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