One in two adults snore. However, there is always an age-long contention about the sex differences when it comes to snoring. The widespread belief about snoring being more common in men than women is still a subject of ongoing research. This review is primed to throw some light on the ongoing debate between men and women.

According to research, medical professionals, and health literature, Studies suggest that twice as many men snore than women, with roughly 40% of men reporting snoring versus 20% of women. With these statistics, Snoring is certainly prevalent in males than in females.

Let’s explore why and how.

Why Men are primed for Snoring
Men’s airways are primed for snoring. The reason more men snore is partly down to their airway anatomy. Studies have found that there are crucial differences in the structure of men’s airways.

More soft tissue
Firstly, Studies indicate that the male soft palate – a key player in generating snoring sounds has a larger cross-sectional area. There’s basically more tissue available to flap around and make noise.

Male upper airway collapses more
Secondly, men’s upper airways are more prone to obstruction. The vulnerable area between the hard palate and epiglottis is larger in men. This means there is a greater amount of unsupported soft tissue that will relax whilst asleep.

Snoring is linked to male hormones
Testosterone is the main male sex hormone. Its primary duty is the maintenance and development of reproductive tissue, but it also plays a part in snoring. Testosterone has been linked to increased airway collapsibility and greater breathing instability, though the exact mechanism is still uncertain

Men gain fat on the neck
Finally, men put weight on the areas that can cause snoring. The chance of your airway collapsing is increased if there is more weight on your neck. Increased neck size and fat around the neck, therefore, puts you at greater risk of snoring. We know that obesity is a great risk factor in snoring, but men and women distribute fat differently which influences snoring patterns. Men put on more weight around their neck and chest, whereas women tend to gain fat on their thighs, hips, and buttocks.

Side note
It is important to note that this has nothing to do with men having deeper voices. Whilst men’s vocal folds are indeed longer, they have more structural support and reside lower than the collapsible area associated with snoring. The area below the roof of your mouth and above the epiglottis is the soft, flappy area we are interested in.

Why Female Snore less
Whilst male sex hormones increase the chance of snoring, female sex hormones have a protective effect.

Steady ventilation
Progesterone, a hormone particularly high during pregnancy, promotes steady ventilation. This causes a less pronounced drop in airflow during sleep and makes the soft airway less prone to collapse.

Less relaxed tongue
Progesterone, alongside another key female hormone, estrogen, enhances the ability of a key muscle in the tongue to contract, reducing the likelihood of it falling back and causing a blockage.

Menopause increases the likelihood of snoring
As female sex hormones decline rapidly at menopause, the likelihood of developing snoring or sleep apnea increases. The incidence of snoring increases with age for both sexes, but in women, the onset of menopause is a watershed moment when it comes to snoring and sleep apnea.

The Bottom line
For men, now that you know that you’re responsible for those obnoxious snoring means that you can try to minimize it. Getting rid of that dad bod is the most effective way to do so. That means you need to get familiar with effective weight loss exercises and probably modify your diet. Studies suggest drinking lots of water as well as quitting smoking, cutting back on alcohol, and using allergen-free bedding can help too. Rolling over in your sleep can also do wonders.

Simple sleep changes have been shown to influence the amount of snoring people display, as well as the volume of the snoring itself. Lying on your back makes the tongue more likely to fall to the back of your throat, so switching to sleeping on your side can significantly reduce the amount you snore. Generally, practicing healthy lifestyle changes can reduce the amount you snore, as carrying excess weight has been shown to increase the risk of snoring in both men and women. Modifying your diet, carrying out a healthy fitness regime, staying hydrated, and cutting back on alcohol and smoking have all been proven to help reduce snoring, helping to give you and your partner a restful night’s sleep.

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Source:www.wincofoam.com