[Medical Q&A] Does snoring mean you are sleeping well?

Planner: Chinese Medical Association

Reviewer: Lu Xiang, Chief Physician, Shaw Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University

Snoring, also known as "snoring syndrome", is common to most people. Not only do they not take it seriously, but some people even regard snoring as a sign of a good sleep. In fact, snoring is a big enemy to health, especially among middle-aged and elderly people. It is considered one of the risk factors for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.

Snoring is caused by upper airway obstruction, which is the sound caused by the vibration of airflow passing through a narrow airway. Physiological causes include a pillow that is too high or too low, excessive physical fatigue, and after drinking, the pharyngeal muscles relax and cause the tongue to fall back, leading to upper airway obstruction. Pathological causes can be seen in nasal polyps, hypertrophic turbinates, enlarged tonsils, chronic pharyngitis, etc. that cause nasopharyngeal stenosis, or central nervous system tumors, trauma, stroke, encephalitis, etc. that cause central apnea. When the pharyngeal muscles of the elderly are relaxed and combined with cerebrovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cor pulmonale, etc., the tongue is more likely to fall back, leading to apnea and hypoventilation.

Long-term snoring is actually a dangerous signal sent by the body. You should go to the hospital in time, find out the cause of snoring and receive corresponding treatment in time.