4. Enlarged Tonsils or Adenoids: Nature’s Speed Bumps on the Airway
Tonsils and adenoids, part of our body’s first line of defense against airborne pathogens, can be a double-edged sword when it comes to our nighttime respiratory symphony.
Infections or chronic tonsillitis can lead to swollen tonsils. Larger tonsils equate to reduced space in the throat, a prime setup for snoring. Similarly, inflamed adenoids can obstruct the upper airway, particularly in children, causing not just snoring but also breathing difficulties.
Some individuals naturally have larger tonsils or adenoids. While this isn’t an issue by itself, combined with other factors like nasal congestion, it can pave the way for pronounced snoring.
Those who have frequent bouts of tonsillitis or adenoiditis might experience persistent enlargement, even when there isn’t an active infection. This chronic state of enlargement can be a constant source of snoring.(4)
