Obesity or excessive body weight is often linked to various health issues, one of which is snoring habits. Several studies have found that obese individuals are more likely to snore and experience sleep disorders. What is the reason behind this?

Why Obese People Often Snore

Snoring is very common and in many cases is not dangerous. Snoring occurs when the air cannot flow smoothly through the airways. If the airway is narrowed or partially blocked, the breathing process causes the tissues in the upper airway to vibrate, and this vibration produces the sound of snoring.

Snoring can interfere with sleep quality and may be related to:

• Sleep apnea, a sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops during the sleep because the airway collapses.

• Excessive alcohol intake, which can relax the muscles that support the tissues around the airway.

• Smoking, which can cause inflammation and swelling in the airway.

• Long-term nasal congestion.

• Sleeping in a supine position.

• Weakening of the muscles and tongue as part of aging.

• Overweight.

• Structural disorders of the nose or jaw, or enlarged tonsils.

Overweight or obese individuals have increased risks of snoring. According to the Sleep Foundation, some of the reasons overweight people are prone to snoring include:

1. Fat buildup that presses on the airway

Overweight and obese people generally have more fat deposits. Some of the fat can build up in the neck and around the upper airway. This accumulation of fat narrows the airway and makes breathing more difficult. If you are lying down, these fat deposits can press on and partly close the airway, which then leads to snoring.

2. Pressure on the diaphragm

In overweight and obese people, fat also tends to accumulate in the abdominal area. This fat buildup can push the diaphragm upward and put pressure on the ribcage. As a result, lung capacity is reduced and air cannot flow freely. This condition makes obese individuals more likely to snore.

How to Manage Snoring

Lifestyle changes can help to reduce snoring. According to the NHS, some steps you can take to manage this issue include:

• Losing weight

• Sleeping on your side

• Exercising regularly

• Reducing alcohol intake and quitting or cutting down on smoking

• Cleaning or clearing the nose regularly so airflow becomes smoother

• Limiting foods that are high in fat and sugar, which can contribute to obesity

Snoring is indeed more common in people who are overweight. However, if you have successfully lost weight and you still snore, you should consult a doctor. There may be an underlying condition such as sleep apnea that needs to be evaluated.

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