Snoring is a common condition that refers to noisy breathing during sleep. This loud sound during sleep can be disturbing for others. This sound of snoring can be referred to as rattling, vibrating, sawing and is very unpleasant at times. It can disturb the sleep of your family members if you are sleeping in the same room. 

The real cause behind snoring 

From an anatomical point of view, snoring is caused by narrowing or partial blockage of the upper airway which is the nose and throat. The narrowing and blockage make the surrounding tissue vibrate as the air flows in and out of the respiratory tract. 

Reasons behind snoring 

Why do some people snore and others don't?. This question keeps ticking every person’s mind. To find an answer to this common question and the most probable question, you can take a closer look at the reasons behind snoring. Eliminating these reasons can help especially in the case of habitual snorers. The main reasons behind snoring are:

Swelling of surrounding tissues  Bulky nasal and throat tissues  Deformities of the nose such as Deviated Nasal Septum (DNS) or nasal polyps  Gender: Males are more likely to snore  Age: Elderly patients are more prone to snoring  Respiratory diseases like chronic bronchitis, recurrent cold, and cough   Asthma  Prolonged use of long term medications The poor muscle tone of the tongue  Long soft palate or uvula  Flabby tongue  An overweight and obese individual  Alcoholism or chronic alcoholic drinker  Chronic smoker  Drug addiction  Nasal or sinusitis  Swollen adenoids in children  Swollen tonsils Allergies  Poor sleep posture  Pregnancy  Sleepless nights  Poor quality of sleep 

Chronic snoring can be a problem of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)

Snoring is not considered a disease or illness. In fact, it is just a symptom. Habitual snoring can be a sign of serious health issues. Snoring once a while due to overwork or sleepless nights is very common. If left untreated, it can lead to major complications. 

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is characterized by chronic snoring, frequent waking, or labored breathing. There are obstructive pauses of breath during sleep leading to problems in breathing. Sleep apnea can disrupt your sleep and affect the quality of life. A good night's sleep makes you feel happy, refreshed, and energetic in the morning. So whether you are habitual snoring or occasionally snoring, it's worth consulting the doctor to know the real cause behind it. There are many health risks associated with snoring like: 

Cardiac diseases like hypertension  Coronary artery disease  Gastric diseases  Mental health diseases  Headaches and migraines  Long term medications 

The device eXciteOSA for snorers 

A new device is being authorized by the FDA known as the eXciteOSA, which is a removable tongue muscle stimulation device that delivers neuromuscular stimulation to the tongue in order to reduce snoring and help patients with mild sleep apnea for those above the 18 years of age 

The eXciteOSA device works by delivering electrical muscle stimulation through the mouthpiece on the tongue. The device has 4 electrodes, 2 placed above the tongue and 2 located below the tongue. The eXciteOSA works in series of electrical impulses with pauses in between the rest periods. It is used for 20 mins once a day in a wakeful state for a period of 6 weeks and followed by once a week later. The FDA granted authorization to the Signifier Medical Technologies and also reviewed the device for safety.