Is there any connection between weight gain and snoring? Let’s go back to the origins of snoring. Why do people snore? Usually, because they can’t get enough air while breathing asleep. Obstructed airflow prompts vibrations of throat tissues that in turn cause snoring.
Snoring due to weight gain is not a rarity. Even though particular areas seem to be more affected, fat accumulates everywhere, including your neck. So your airways straighten, and you start snoring. It’s been observed that 2 out of 3 patients with OSA (a common snoring-related disorder) are obese. Such figures strongly support the snoring-weight gain connection.
Why does weight gain cause snoring?
The answer is more complicated than it might look on first view. Fat concentration around the neck is just an on-surface reason for snoring. The deeper outcomes of weight gain lie in changed metabolism, increased appetite, and slower energy burn. So can weight gain cause snoring? Yes, it can.
This also works in reverse. Snoring and fatigue from interrupted sleep increase hunger and discourages daytime activity, leading to weight gain. And this is where the circle closes: weight gain causes snoring, and snoring contributes to weight gain. As they are strongly dependent on each other, the treatment required includes physical exercise, a well-balanced diet, and healthy sleep.
Why does snoring worsen with weight gain?
The logic is simple: the more fat you have around the throat, the harder it is to breathe. The harder you breathe, the louder your snoring gets, and the more chances of developing OSA.
Is snoring due to weight gain treatable? Yes, it is. However, it can take a lot of effort. Snoring, high blood pressure, stress, and weight gain are like dominos. If one of them falls, others join immediately.
So to improve sleep quality, be mindful of your weight. If you’re a noisy sleeper, try using Goodsomnia Lab, a snore recording app, to discover your snore severity and frequency. The diagram provided by the app can help a specialist choose the right treatment.
