Last Updated on April 19, 2024 by Neelam Singh
Quick Take
It’s a pretty common notion that snoring is something exclusive to men. However, medical research says otherwise. After extensive evidence based research we found out that both men and women snore. Therefore, we term this claim as false.
The Claim
According to a post by an X (formerly Twitter) user, “It’s literally impossible for women to snore. Snoring is caused by Adam’s apples. Hope this helps.” The user claims that it is impossible for women to snore due to the absence of Adam’s apple.
Fact Check
What is snoring?
Snoring is a sound (or noise) produced during sleep when the air flow through the mouth and nose is obstructed. This obstruction can cause vibrations in the throat tissues. This can arise due to various factors such as relaxed throat muscles, enlarged tonsils, or blocked nasal passages. Snoring is prevalent in approximately 25% to 50% of the adult population and can occur in both men and women of all ages. While occasional snoring is generally harmless, persistent or loud snoring may indicate underlying health issues like sleep apnea, a condition where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep.
Why people snore?
Snoring can happen for many reasons. As we get older, our muscles get weaker, which can make our airways smaller and cause snoring. Drinking alcohol or taking certain medications (or drugs) can also relax our muscles too much, making it hard to breathe properly. Sometimes, the shape (anatomy) of our nose or throat can make it difficult for air to flow freely, leading to snoring. Men are more likely to snore than women, and if you have a family history, you might be more likely to snore too. Other things like having a stuffy nose from allergies or a cold, being pregnant, or being overweight can also make snoring worse.
Is it true that only men snore and women don’t?
No, this isn’t the case. While doing our fact check research, we found that men are more likely to snore. Men snore more than women mainly because their bodies are built differently. Men typically have bigger airways at the top and a lower voice box (larger upper airways and a lower larynx), leaving more room behind their tongues for tissues to relax and cause snoring. Also, men often have more fat around their chests and necks, which squeezes their airways and makes snoring worse. When both men and women lie down, their airways change shape, but this happens more noticeably in men, making snoring more likely.
How does snoring affect your life?
Snoring can impact one’s life in multiple ways, ranging from minor disturbances to significant health concerns. Firstly, it disrupts the person’s own sleep quality, leading to daytime fatigue, irritability, and reduced concentration levels. It can also result in impaired performance at work or school. Secondly, it strains personal relationships as the noise of snoring disturbs the sleep of partners or family members, giving rise to resentment and frustration. Furthermore, chronic (long-term and persistent) snoring often signals underlying sleep apnea, a serious condition associated with increased risks of hypertension (high blood pressure), cardiovascular disease, stroke, and diabetes.
Additionally, snoring can manifest in daytime symptoms like headaches, dry mouth, and sore throat, impacting overall well-being. The persistent sleep disruption from snoring can also lead to mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and mood swings. Beyond health implications, snoring is often associated with social stigma, causing embarrassment in shared accommodations like hotels, hostels or others’ homes. Moreover, it can result in diminished libido and trigger sexual dysfunction, further compromising quality of life. However, interventions like lifestyle adjustments or medical treatments such as CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) can help. A CPAP machine is a device that gently applies air pressure to keep your breathing passages open as you sleep. Cognitive behavioural therapy, sleep treatment, or even surgery in severe snoring cases can offer solutions to alleviate the negative effects of snoring and sleep disorders and enhance overall well-being.
You should consider consulting a doctor for snoring if it’s causing significant disruption to your sleep or the sleep of your partner. If it’s accompanied by other symptoms like daytime fatigue (tiredness) or headaches, or if you suspect you may have a more serious condition like sleep apnea. Additionally, if you’re concerned about the impact of snoring on your overall health or relationships, it’s a good idea to seek medical advice from a qualified healthcare expert.
You should consider consulting a doctor for snoring if it’s causing significant disruption to your sleep or the sleep of your partner. If it’s accompanied by other symptoms like daytime fatigue (tiredness) or headaches, or if you suspect you may have a more serious condition like sleep apnea. Additionally, if you’re concerned about the impact of snoring on your overall health or relationships, it’s a good idea to seek medical advice from a qualified healthcare expert.
Expert perspectives on the impact of snoring
According to Dr Siddharth Vashistha (MBBS, MS ENT), “Snoring is quite common in Indian society and often accepted by people as a normal part of life. However, many silently suffer because it can become unbearable for their partners. Snoring is a part of the spectrum of sleep disorders and can sometimes indicate sleep apnea, which, in the long run, can be harmful to the body. This is because a lack of proper sleep can lead to stress, high blood pressure, anxiety, and even heart conditions. It’s well-known that insufficient sleep can result in lack of concentration, stress, and headaches, but not everyone is aware of how it can contribute to heart problems.”
He further adds, “Sometimes, snoring is accompanied by sleep apnea, which causes low oxygen levels in the blood due to upper airway obstruction. The brain senses this low oxygen level and instructs the heart to pump more blood, leading to an increased heart rate. Over time, this can weaken the heart. People with sleep apnea often experience daytime sleepiness, lack of concentration, and tiredness because their brains work all night to maintain oxygen levels instead of resting deeply.”
Moreover, Dr Vashistha states, “Sleep disorders affect men, women, and even children. Unfortunately, children may not be able to express their problems, and their lack of concentration may be wrongly attributed to disinterest in studying by their parents. Therefore, it’s crucial to evaluate snoring and sleep patterns. Just as eating right and exercising regularly keep the body healthy, getting proper sleep is essential for overall physical and mental well-being.”
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