During normal sleep, the muscles that control the tongue and soft palate keep the upper airways open. These muscles can relax during different sleep stages, causing the airway to narrow and partially obstructing airflow. When inhaling, the soft tissues in the throat vibrate, producing the sound of snoring.

If the throat is naturally narrow or if the muscles relax too much, the airway can become completely blocked. This results in a breathing stoppage known as apnea. When this occurs repeatedly, it is referred to as sleep apnea syndrome.

Several factors can cause or worsen the narrowing of the airway during sleep. For example, excess weight, alcohol consumption, nasal or throat abnormalities, smoking, and the use of sleeping pills.

However, keep in mind that almost ALL people with obstructive sleep apnea snore, but NOT all snorers have sleep apnea.