Many things promise to cure it, but what exactly causes it? The cause of snoring varies from one individual to another, but there are several leading factors that are believed to behind this nighttime nuisance. Obesity is believed to be a leading cause of snoring. Many physicians, therefore, recommend a program of diet and exercise in an effort to not only prevent snoring, but also to promote better health. If you have recently been diagnosed as being either overweight or obese, it may be time to consider a quality program to help shed some pounds along with your snoring habit. Another main cause of snoring is when individuals sleep on their back. When this happens, the muscles and tissue tend to relax in the back of the throat and restrict air passages. By sleeping on your side, you may help to eliminate this problem and greatly reduce snoring. The aging process is believed to be another cause of snoring. Researchers believe that, as the skin in the throat ages, it begins to lose it’s elasticity. When this happens, it is more likely to relax and cause air passages to be restricted. Sleep apnea is a disorder that is also a serious cause of snoring. Symptoms include excessive snoring, pauses between breathing, awakening through the night with a feeling of choking or gasping for air, etc. The reason this occurs is because, with sleep apnea, the airways become completely blocked and the sufferer actually stops breathing on multiple occasions throughout the night. Sleep apnea, if left untreated, may often lead to more serious medical conditions. Among them, heart problems, a stroke or other serious illness. A sleep study, which is generally ordered by a physician, may help to diagnose the direct cause of snoring for each individual. The snoring sufferer spends one night at a sleep center, which monitors his/her breathing and snoring patterns throughout the night. The results are then studied by a physician who makes a final diagnosis. This article is intended for informational purposes only. It should not be used as, or in place of, professional medical advice. Before beginning any treatment for snoring, please consult a doctor for a proper diagnosis and remedy.