Theory on Snoring

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MasterG2kTR -> Theory on Snoring (3/15/2009 1:23:49 PM)
This is a subject I have pondered many times, and I have just completed another search for information to prove or disprove my theory on why we snore. I can find all kinds of info on the physical causes for snoring, but none on what the actual function is. I believe it had evolutionary purposes. Also for what it's worth humans are not the only creatures that snore. My theory is a very simple one, and when you think about it makes perfect sense (at least to me). Snoring sounds very much like a low toned gurgling growl emitted by many of natures creatures when threatened. Thus when ancient man was sleeping, snoring became a defense mechanism. As other night prowlers came near they would hear the snore (growl) and steer off in a different direction thinking they had been detected. I did find a couple of really lame links that somewhat support my theory, but I won't even bother to post them on this. I now ask, how many of you agree or disagree with my theory? Is it an evolutionary leftover like the appendix? Any other thoughts or alternate theories?

Phoenixpower -> RE: Theory on Snoring (3/15/2009 1:27:19 PM)
When I was younger it was simply due to my tonsils...since I got rid of them the snoring is gone, thank goodness...so nothing about evolutionary stuff, but yes, animals snore as well

ThatDamnedPanda -> RE: Theory on Snoring (3/15/2009 1:41:03 PM)
I would think that whatever advantage it may confer would be more than canceled out by the disadvantage that comes from alerting predators that someone's sound asleep over there under that bush. Interesting theory, but if I'm ever asleep in lion country, I would hope that I'm doing it as quietly as possible. Not to derail the thread, but actually that theory about the appendix being an unnecessary anachronism has been getting a second look lately, and some biologists now believe it serves a very useful function after all - as a backup storage space for digestive bacteria. The thinking is, if the owner of the appendix should ever suffer an illness that wipes out the bacteria culture in their gut, the bacteria in the appendix can restore the population.

Louve00 -> RE: Theory on Snoring (3/15/2009 2:19:41 PM)
grins Ya'll talking about this reminds me of a time I was watching my neighbors kids and a tampax commercial came on. The kids were all talking toddlers filled with wonderment, and when they saw the commercial, they wondered what a tampon was. The oldest child, a boy, determined that tampons were those things people with stuffy noses shoved up their nostrils to clear them! Snoring is nothing more than the vibration of tissue (or mass) as you inhale and your breath washes over that tissue or mass, in your sleep. Overweight people are your most common offenders of snoring. Thats because when they lay down all the adipose tissue literally makes their airway smaller and it is usually their tongue, if not the adipose (fat tissue) itself that is vibrating. Or in the case of Phoenixpower it was her tonsils. In the case of animals, depending on the animal, it could be for the same reasons humans snore, or could be their sinuses, if they have a long snout. How do I know this? I was a respiratory therapist for 15 years and took sleep study classes to run a sleep lab. CPAP or BI-PAP can help.

YoursMistress -> RE: Theory on Snoring (3/15/2009 2:35:35 PM)
Having had two "somnoplasties" performed, I can vouch for that. I suspect that snoring is much worse today given the current state of nutritional health and obesity. As to the evolutionary source, I think it more likely a male defense mechanism to keep females off of their peak, given their tendencies to consume males after consummation as exemplified by the praying mantis and of course, Latrodectus mactans. yours

MasterG2kTR -> RE: Theory on Snoring (3/15/2009 2:47:27 PM)
As I stated in the OP, there is a plethora of documentation for the physical cause to snoring, but nothing that relates to any actual function as to why we snore. I believe that everything about us has (or had) a purpose, thus my theory. quote: but if I'm ever asleep in lion country, I would hope that I'm doing it as quietly as possible. I did actually find a link relating to that, where someone had posed that african people snore less. It's not true, they snore just as much as any others. In addition, animals are not like people who can reason that hearing someone snoring indicates they are asleep. In fact they have no idea if we are awake or not, because of that inability to reason.

sirsholly -> RE: Theory on Snoring (3/15/2009 2:59:08 PM)
quote: As I stated in the OP, there is a plethora of documentation for the physical cause to snoring, but nothing that relates to any actual function as to why we snore. I believe that everything about us has (or had) a purpose, thus my theory. why does your stomach growl? I can tell you the physical cause, but what purpose does the noise have...other that to embarrass you? [sm=dunno.gif]

slaveboyforyou -> RE: Theory on Snoring (3/15/2009 3:09:20 PM)
I don't snore (so I'm told), but I do talk in my sleep. Apparently, I talk loudly in my sleep. I also curse at people in my sleep, so I'm told. What would be the evolutionary reason for that?

MasterG2kTR -> RE: Theory on Snoring (3/15/2009 3:20:49 PM)
ok Holly, I'll step up to your "challenge". in ancient times, when you did not have the benefit of simply opening the refrigerator or cupboard to get some food/snacks, and assuming you are a young child, if your parents were to hear your stomach growling they would know you are in need of food.

Louve00 -> RE: Theory on Snoring (3/15/2009 3:26:38 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: slaveboyforyou I don't snore (so I'm told), but I do talk in my sleep. Apparently, I talk loudly in my sleep. I also curse at people in my sleep, so I'm told. What would be the evolutionary reason for that? ummm...just obnoxious, maybe? JUST/KIDDING!! (I'd love to hear the things you said, and would love to see if I could get you to answer me in your sleep, too! )

sirsholly -> RE: Theory on Snoring (3/15/2009 3:28:26 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: MasterG2kTR ok Holly, I'll step up to your "challenge". in ancient times, when you did not have the benefit of simply opening the refrigerator or cupboard to get some food/snacks, and assuming you are a young child, if your parents were to hear your stomach growling they would know you are in need of food. i challenge your challenge (this is getting challenging!). The stomach does not always growl from hunger. More often than not it growls as the digestive process begins and muscle contractions (called peristalsis) begin to move the food and air into the digestive tract.

Louve00 -> RE: Theory on Snoring (3/15/2009 3:32:05 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: MasterG2kTR As I stated in the OP, there is a plethora of documentation for the physical cause to snoring, but nothing that relates to any actual function as to why we snore. I believe that everything about us has (or had) a purpose, thus my theory. quote: but if I'm ever asleep in lion country, I would hope that I'm doing it as quietly as possible. I did actually find a link relating to that, where someone had posed that african people snore less. It's not true, they snore just as much as any others. In addition, animals are not like people who can reason that hearing someone snoring indicates they are asleep. In fact they have no idea if we are awake or not, because of that inability to reason. I think snoring is not a function, or the result of a function, at all. It is a malfunction of the sleep process.

RealSub58 -> RE: Theory on Snoring (3/15/2009 3:32:15 PM)
Original thinking, I must say! You get an B- without proof of content. [:D] Both my dogs snore, but not as loud as I do. But their snoring is broken in a heartbeat if they hear something move around outside the house that is suspicious. Their lightening feet are on the floor and their bark breaks my snoring in half time. I wonder what Darwinists would say?? quote: ORIGINAL: Louve00 I think snoring is not a function, or the result of a function, at all. It is a malfunction of the sleep process Ha !! Totally agree! I think I have more family members on sleep apnea BiPap or CPap machines due to snoring than not.

Vendaval -> RE: Theory on Snoring (3/15/2009 5:06:52 PM)
Late night entertainment quote: ORIGINAL: slaveboyforyou I don't snore (so I'm told), but I do talk in my sleep. Apparently, I talk loudly in my sleep. I also curse at people in my sleep, so I'm told. What would be the evolutionary reason for that?

Vendaval -> RE: Theory on Snoring (3/15/2009 5:08:31 PM)
The snoring acts as a bellows to keep the camp fire from fading out. How about the reason for sleep walking? Or night terrors?

windchymes -> RE: Theory on Snoring (3/15/2009 5:12:09 PM)
I've read that men snore when they lie on their backs because their balls fall over their asshole and they vapor lock.

Vendaval -> RE: Theory on Snoring (3/15/2009 5:12:54 PM)
hee hee heee....[:D]

YourhandMyAss -> RE: Theory on Snoring (3/15/2009 5:15:03 PM)
Snoring is when the pallet collapses into the throat and then begins to vibrate. It doesn't serve a function at all I don't think, other wise there wouldn't be snoring cures, and reports that snoring is dangerous and can lead to sleep apnia. If you're over weight, you're more likely to have snoring problems too. quote: ORIGINAL: MasterG2kTR This is a subject I have pondered many times, and I have just completed another search for information to prove or disprove my theory on why we snore. I can find all kinds of info on the physical causes for snoring, but none on what the actual function is. I believe it had evolutionary purposes. Also for what it's worth humans are not the only creatures that snore. My theory is a very simple one, and when you think about it makes perfect sense (at least to me). Snoring sounds very much like a low toned gurgling growl emitted by many of natures creatures when threatened. Thus when ancient man was sleeping, snoring became a defense mechanism. As other night prowlers came near they would hear the snore (growl) and steer off in a different direction thinking they had been detected. I did find a couple of really lame links that somewhat support my theory, but I won't even bother to post them on this. I now ask, how many of you agree or disagree with my theory? Is it an evolutionary leftover like the appendix? Any other thoughts or alternate theories?

ThatDamnedPanda -> RE: Theory on Snoring (3/15/2009 6:26:13 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: slaveboyforyou I don't snore (so I'm told), but I do talk in my sleep. Apparently, I talk loudly in my sleep. I also curse at people in my sleep, so I'm told. What would be the evolutionary reason for that? That's easy. From an evolutionary standpoint, it's advantageous for a male to spread his DNA among as many females as possible. This is nature's way of ensuring that you never stay mated to one woman for very long.

dreamerdreaming -> RE: Theory on Snoring (3/15/2009 6:27:54 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: windchymes I've read that men snore when they lie on their backs because their balls fall over their asshole and they vapor lock. LOL!!!

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