Sleep / Series
How snoring happens
Three short articles on where snoring comes from, how it differs from sleep apnea, and what affects it.
3 parts · 12 min read in total. You can mark what you have read at the end of each part; the marks are kept only in this browser.
- 1. Why does the airway narrow during sleep?While we sleep, the muscles that hold the throat open relax and the airway narrows. This is where both snoring and pauses in breathing begin.4 min read · Introductory
- 2. The difference between snoring and sleep apneaSnoring is the vibration of tissues in a narrowed throat. In sleep apnea the airway becomes blocked and breathing stops for a short time. The two often appear together, but they are not the same thing.4 min read · Intermediate
- 3. What affects snoring: position, weight, alcohol, the noseThe same person can snore more on some nights. Sleeping position, weight, an evening drink and a blocked nose all play a part.4 min read · Introductory