Women Who Snore

August 9, 2006 Snoring is the sound made when airflow through the back of the mouth and nose is obstructed. During sleep, the muscles in the throat relax and the tongue tends to slide toward the back of the throat. This causes the tissues of the airway to be more "floppy." As the lungs draw in air (and to some extent when exhaling), the tissue can vibrate, causing the characteristic sounds of snoring. The narrower the opening in the airway, the greater the vibrations and the louder the snoring. Conditions like enlarged tonsils or adenoids, excessive tissue in the neck, nasal polyps and nasal congestion decrease the size of the air passageways and can contribute to snoring. The American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery estimates that about 45 percent of adults snore occasionally and 25 percent snore almost every night. Obesity, sleeping on the back, drinking excessive amounts of alcohol and use of muscle relaxants increase the risk of snoring. Women and Snoring Snoring is a condition that is often associated with men. However, women can also be affected. In fact, some men complain their wives can "out-snore" their male buddies! In a recently published self-reported survey, about 7.6 percent of women said they were nightly or almost nightly snorers. Snoring is much more likely in older, postmenopausal women. Ilene Rosen, M.D., Sleep Medicine Specialist at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital, says in younger women, the hormones estrogen and progesterone, make the airway stiffer and reduce the tendency of the tissues to vibrate. On the other hand, risk for snoring increases during pregnancy. Thats because of an increase in blood flow to the tissues in the nose and the back of the throat and the growing baby pushing up against the diaphragm. The symptoms of snoring often go away after the baby is born. Many women dont consider themselves "snorers". The problem usually only comes to their attention when bed partners complain about losing sleep to the loud snoring. If the symptoms are persistent or severe, a woman should seek medical advice. Snoring is associated with an increased risk for high blood pressure and coronary artery disease. In addition, people who snore may be experiencing signs of obstructive sleep apnea. During sleep, the airway temporarily becomes obstructed, causing the patient to momentarily stop breathing. In severe cases, patients may stop breathing for ten seconds or more at least seven times an hour. That can lead to a reduction in oxygen to the brain and tissues of the body and daytime sleepiness. AUDIENCE INQUIRY For general information on snoring and snoring treatments: American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, http://www.entnet.org National Sleep Foundation, http://www.sleepfoundation.org BIBLIOGRAPHY DAmbrosio, C., et al., "Sleep, Breathing, and Menopause," Gender Medicine, December 2005, Vol. 2, No. 4, pp. 238-245. Hu, F., et al., "Prospective Study of Snoring and Risk of Hypertension in Women," American Journal of Epidemiology, October 15, 1999, Vol. 150, No. 8, pp. 806-816. Izcim B., et al., "Sleep Complaints," Sleep Medicine, March 2005, Vol. 6, No. 2, pp. 163-169. Larsson, Lars-Gunnar, M.D., et al., "Gender Differences in Symptoms Related to Sleep Apnea in a General Population and In Relation to Referral to Sleep Clinic," Chest, July 2003, Vol. 124, No. 1, pp. 204-211. Leineweber, C., et al., "Snoring and Progression of Coronary Artery Disease," Sleep, November 1, 2004, Vol. 27, No. 7, pp. 1344-1349. Nohsenin, Vahid, M.D., "Gender Differences in the Expression of Sleep-disordered Breathing," Chest, November 2001, Vol. 120, No. 5, pp. 1442-1447. Shepertycky, M., et al., "Differences Between Men and Women in the Clinical Presentation of Patients Diagnosed with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome," Sleep, March 1, 2005, Vol. 28, No. 3, pp. 309-314. "Snoring," Alexandria: American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, downloaded from website (http://www.entnet.org), July 19, 2006. "Snoring," Washington, DC: National Sleep Foundation, downloaded from website (http://www.sleepfoundation.org), July 19, 2006. Svensson, Malin, M.D., et al., "Risk Factors Associated with Snoring in Women with Special Emphasis on Body Mass Index," Chest, April 2006, Vol. 129, No. 4, pp. 933-941. Ware, J., et al., "Influence of Sex and Age on Duration and Frequency of Sleep Apnea Events," Sleep, March 15, 2000, Vol. 23, No. 2, pp. 165-170. Research compiled and edited by Barbara J. Fister