Snoring could be result of some childhood factors

Snoring could be result of some childhood factors Snoring is a widespread problem faced by many people. Snoring of a person disturbs the peaceful sleep of others. Earlier studies have shown that snoring increases chances of early death, heart disease and stroke.

A recent research has found a connection between snoring and childhood. Researchers found out that growing up with a pet dog increase the chances of snoring in later age by 18 percent. This study also showed that growing up in a large family also increases snoring in later ages. Researchers in Sweden analyzed the data collected from 16,000 men and women aged 25 to 54 in Denmark, Estonia, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. The study subjects were asked to fill questionnaires about their early life, family, sleep, smoking habits, height and weight.

The study showed that some 16 percent of middle-aged men and 7 percent of women snore habitually. While eighteen percent of study subjects have "loud and disturbing" snoring at least three nights a week.

Researchers found that various factors during childhood result into snoring in later ages. The study showed that 27 percent "habitual snorers" were hospitalized for a respiratory infection before the age of 2. While those who suffered from recurrent otitis or ear infections as children were 18 percent more likely to snore. Even growing up in a large family increased the chances of snoring little bit. Researchers found that growing up with a pet dog increases the chances of snoring by 18 percent.

Lead researcher, Karl Franklin of University Hospital Ume said, "Dogs may increase airborne particles that would encourage inflammation and thereby alter upper airway anatomy early in life, causing an increased susceptibility for adult snoring."

However some medical experts believe that a pet dog can be blamed for snoring. They say that snoring is basically a vibration of respiratory structures, and the resulting sound is because of obstructed air movement during breathing while sleeping. This irregular airflow could be either due to throat weakness, or mispositioned jaw or often caused by tension in the muscles or fat gathering around the throat or obstruction in nasal passageway. India-based doctor SK Dasgupta affirms that presence of a dog in a household can’t make a child a habitual snorer during adulthood.

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