Why Do People Snore?
The beastly sound of snoring can awaken even the heaviest sleeper. But why do people snore? It's not because your slumber pal is trying to stir you on purpose.
As you fall asleep, the muscles that keep your breathing passage open begin to relax, while your throat contracts. The tightening throat means a snug journey for passing air.
For some people, this narrowing causes air to push forcefully through the throat, disturbing the relaxed muscle tissues in the back of the throat, causing them to vibrate. The vibrating tissue produces the sound familiarly known as snoring.
Some common causes of snoring: propping your head up too high with pillows, allergies leading to mucus in your throat and obesity.
Follow Life's Little Mysteries on Twitter @llmysteries. We're also on Facebook & Google+.
Sign up for the Live Science daily newsletter now
Get the world’s most fascinating discoveries delivered straight to your inbox.