Simple, Effective and Comfortable - Side sleeping works.

You are here: Home > MEDIA ROOM > PRESS KIT > QUICK SNORING FACTS

Quick Snoring Facts


What is Snoring?

Snoring occurs during sleep when the muscles at the back of the throat and tongue relax. The tongue drops back and causes the airway to narrow. The narrowing of the airway results in vibrations as air passes through. It is the vibrations of tissue in the airway that creates the snoring sound.


Who Snores?

  • A National Family Opinion poll revealed that 90 million Americans over the age of 18 snore and 37 million are considered habitual snorers
  • In Canada, most married people (54 %) indicated in a survey that their partner snores while sleeping. (Source: Ipsos Reid poll, October 2006)
  • Approximately 30% of those over age 30 snore, rising to 40% in middle-age (Source: British Medical Journal, 1997)
  • Male to female ratio of snoring is 2:1 (Source: Vancouver Sleep and Breathing Center)


What Factors Contribute to Snoring?

Sleeping Position
  • Sleeping on your back causes gravity to pull the jaw and tongue back, narrowing airway passages which vibrate and cause the snoring sound
  • Research indicates that 60% of all snorers will snore only, or most often, while sleeping on their back
Weight
  • Excess weight and fatty tissues in the throat narrows your airway
Alcohol or Medications
  •  Substances with a sedative effect will cause your throat muscles to relax more than usual and will likely produce snoring


What is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep Apnea is a disorder of breathing during sleep that is typically accompanied by loud snoring. Someone with sleep apnea will experience brief periods through the night when breathing stops. (Source: www.sleepnet.com)


What is Positional Therapy?

Positional therapy is a non-invasive technique to urge snorers to sleep on their side to ease or stop snoring. The REM-A-TEE Anti-Snoring T-Shirt is an example of a positional therapy aid.