Snoring is a loud noise that is created due to the vibration of the soft palate. It happens as the air passages gets obstructed during sleep and causes snoring.  Snoring may be unpleasant for your partner but it is not a harmful condition. However, with the case of sleep apnea, there is complete blockage of the air passages which can cause major health conditions.  There are many causes of sleep apnea and snoring problems.  

There are two types of sleep apnea:  Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and Central Sleep Apnea (CSA).  Oxygen and sleep deprivation are the major effects of sleep apnea. OSA is the most common type of sleep apnea in which the throat collapses and the air passages are blocked preventing supply of oxygen to the lungs.  In addition, snoring also leads to a drop in blood oxygen levels.  

There are many major causes of OSA.  Being overweight is the most common cause as the fatty tissues in the throat exert pressure on the air passage and collapse the air passage.  

The other potential causes are allergies and asthma.  Asthma increases the chances of air ways to collapse and allergies causes inflammation of the air ways.  In both ways, the risk of sleep apnea is increased.  

The chances of sleep apnea may be increased due to certain lifestyle choices such as smoking and alcohol consumption.  Smoking causes irritation in throats and lungs and have a greater chance of closing the air passages.  The throat muscles are relaxed by drinking alcohol and during sleep this muscles cause blockage of the air ways.  

The other causes of sleep apnea and snoring may include neurological problems, enlarged tonsils, bone structure of the neck and skull and nasal congestion and blockage.  It is however, a good idea to consult your doctor if you have snoring symptoms.