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Snoring On The Exhale

by Grant Neel
(Oklahoma City)

I'm a male in my 40's and have snored moderately for most of my adult life with no issues with sleeping or complaints of loud snoring. About 6 years ago my snoring changed from the more typical snoring on the inhale, to a snore while exhaling. I rationalized this behavior and considered it an advantage and aid to propel my stage or depth of sleep.


Until recently, I didn't consider that this type of snoring could have a significant impact on my blood gas ratios while sleeping. Active Internet research reveals practically no distinction of snoring on inhale or exhale, yet it seems the two would have distinct outcomes. Likening the habit to Pursed-lip breathing for COPD therapy, I must admit the chronic cough I had most of my life seems to be gone this last 2 or 3 years. However, I have developed psoriasis as a consolation. Are there any diagnosis, theory or known hazards or advantages to my tendency to snore this way?

Thank you.

Grant

Comments for Snoring On The Exhale

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Oct 20, 2010
 Snoring On The Exhale
by: Kevin Morton

Hey Grant, thanks for writing in with this. I don't know anything myself about the distinction between snoring on the inhale and snoring on the exhale. I'll see if I can find anything out with this, and if I do I'll update this page with whatever info I'm able to get. In the meantime, please share with us if you find our anything yourself.

Best wishes,
Kevin
Feb 27, 2011
 Co2 snoring
by: Anonymous

Grant, do you think psoriasis might be related with our breathing? That would be an interesting view, but haven't heard of much along those lines.

Kevin, are there any sleep studies that show a clear result of 'restricted inhale = lower o2 and restricted exhale = reduced co2 elimination? Thanks

Linda
Feb 28, 2017
 All the same symptoms NEW
by: Anonymous

Hey. I have exhalation snoring. Severe psoriasis and high co2 levels. Was just hunting for answers.
Apr 10, 2017
 Snoring while exhale NEW
by: Terr

My husband ( may he Rest In Peace) would have to wake me up or roll me over! I realized after he passed I'd wake myself up and realize I snore on exhale! I'd generally mention it to people and nobody experienced or heard of snoring on an exhale! Was curious about it, find out it seems much more rare than snoring while breathing IN! I did it on purpose ( inhale) and feels like I can't breathe yet exhaling , although not an easy flow of breath, felt safer..

It's only in deep sleep and at times I'll wake myself up, I get bored sometimes being a widow and found most people I do talk about this has never heard of it. LOL yes I need a life

Apr 10, 2017
 Snoring while exhale NEW
by: Terr

My husband ( may he Rest In Peace) would have to wake me up or roll me over! I realized after he passed I'd wake myself up and realize I snore on exhale! I'd generally mention it to people and nobody experienced or heard of snoring on an exhale! Was curious about it, find out it seems much more rare than snoring while breathing IN! I did it on purpose ( inhale) and feels like I can't breathe yet exhaling , although not an easy flow of breath, felt safer..

It's only in deep sleep and at times I'll wake myself up, I get bored sometimes being a widow and found most people I do talk about this has never heard of it. LOL yes I need a life

May 08, 2017
 Unmuffled Chainsaw NEW
by: Tammy

Just had my husband confirm today that my exhaling snore is effecting his sleep. I don't wake up due to the snoring, I don't have the high pitch snore. My husband says that it sounds more like an unmuffled chainsaw, but I've never heard of exhaling snoring. I told him to record me sometime.
Sep 14, 2017
 Catathrenia NEW
by: Domenic

It's called Catathrenia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catathrenia

And essentially research suggest...no one cares.

As it's not life threatening, doctors basically don't care...even though all of us who do this unconsciously make our partners lives miserable.

Oddly enough, this website is built a by a Stanford Doctor and Stanford is the only school to every have performed a study on Catathrenia.

https://www.sleepassociation.org/patients-general-public/catathrenia/

Essentially the only known option is a CPAP machine.

I personally seem to reduce the amount of catathrenia through regular running....but it's a lot.

It takes me weeks of running to reduce the exhale snoring and if I stop for even 1-2 weeks, it comes right back.
Sep 28, 2019
 Exhale Snoring-Simple Solution
by: Shelley

I am an "exhale" snorer, too. It’s really annoying to me (as well as my partner). Waking myself up with the sensation of choking and/or PUSHING air out of my throat...multiple times a night. HOWEVER, a very simple solution I discovered about a year ago: sleep on my side. The snoring only occurs for me if I am sleeping on my back. So, if I wake myself up with it now, I just roll back onto my side (I tend to roll on to my back during sleep at random). Hope this helps!!
Feb 02, 2022
 I'm a exhale snorer
by: Anonymous

I've been a exhale snorer for some years. I even wake myself up and it results in restless sleep. What is the proper action to rid myself of this problem? Please help, .y grandson said he feels like smashing me in the face.
May 16, 2022
 Nope NEW
by: Anonymous

It's not Catathrenia.

Shame. I've been looking for info on this for a long time. I have disturbed sleep every night.

Any new info, I'd be happy to hear about.

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