December not only marks the end of the year but is also the time with the most celebrations that significantly alter the routine. With farewell parties, toasts, family gatherings, and vacations, it's common to eat later, drink more than usual, and rest less. In many homes, this leads to a recurring problem year after year: snoring increases.
In December, several factors combine that relax the respiratory pathways too much and favor nocturnal collapse, explained Dr. Ana Cofré, director of the Patagonian Center of Otorhinolaryngology. It's not just what we eat, but the combination of abundance, late hours, and immediate rest afterward.
Argentine celebrations usually feature generous tables, and when a high-calorie intake is combined with late hours, the body responds with prolonged digestion, reflux, and congestion.
"What we eat, what we drink, and the time we go to bed directly influence how we breathe during sleep," the expert added. She emphasized that this pattern repeats every year because the triggers are predictable and cumulative. Thanks to scientific evidence, it is known that alcohol is the main factor that worsens snoring during parties. Studies published in the Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis and reviews on sleep breathing disorders confirm that alcohol worsens and increases snoring, both in people who already snored and in those with no history.
The reason is physiological because alcohol excessively relaxes the muscles that keep the airways open, and this drop in tension facilitates the narrowing of the airway, and consequently, the vibration of the tissues.
"Alcohol not only relaxes the musculature, it can also cause nasal inflammation and increase congestion.
This causes the person to breathe through their mouth and snore more, even if they normally don't," expressed Cofré.
December also implies less physical activity and more stress, which can alter sleep quality and promote more intense snoring.
When to worry
If snoring becomes daily or is accompanied by pauses in breathing, nocturnal gasps, or daytime sleepiness, it may be obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Alcohol can trigger episodes even in people without a previous diagnosis.
"Alcohol can reveal an obstructive sleep apnea that had gone unnoticed until then," warns Cofré. To reduce snoring without giving up enjoyment, she recommended:
- Avoid alcohol near bedtime.
- Choose lighter meals at night.
- Stay hydrated.
- Sleep on your side.
- Log patterns.
A calmer December begins by understanding how we sleep. "My advice is to enjoy, but with awareness. A little moderation can greatly improve the sleep quality of everyone in the house," the specialist concluded.
