Airway Obstruction

Airway Obstruction leads to snoring and sleep apnea by making the airway smaller, thus it is more difficult to breathe. Large tonsils, tongue, or soft tissues make the airway smaller.

Large Tongue

A large tongue, known to the medical community as Macroglossia, can play a role in obstructing (blocking) the airway. A larger tongue will posture itself towards the back of the throat to keep it entirely in the mouth, which decreases the distance between the soft palate and the tongue. When relaxed (while sleeping), a large tongue may be more likely to fall back and cause the airway to be obstructed.

Excessive Fat in the Neck or Throat

Extra fat in the neck can crowd the airway. Furthermore, when sleeping and one's muscles relax, the extra weight in the neck gets pulled down by gravity, which can make the airway more collapsible. On average, a neck circumference of 17" for men, and 16' for women increases the likelihood of the airway becoming obstructed while sleeping.

Enlarged Tonsils and Adenoids

In children, enlarged tonsils and adenoids are the most common cause of snoring and sleep apnea. Larger than normal adenoids can lead to mouth breathing, increasing the likelihood of snoring. Large tonsils also crowd the airway, obstructing it, and can lead to snoring and sleep apnea.

Low-Draping Soft Palate

The soft palate is the soft tissue at the back roof of one's mouth. If this tissue is low-drapping or fatty, it can make it harder to breathe, conributing to snoring and sleep apnea, because it causes the airway to be smaller. The roof of one's mouth will be closer to the tongue and the uvula is lower in the airway, obstucting the airway.

Long Uvula