Snoring

Our Approach

Snoring is a loud, snorting sound that happens during sleep. About half of adults snore, most with no ill effects. However, snoring can be a sign of a much more dangerous sleep disorder called sleep apnea.

At Franciscan Health, our sleep specialists can figure out the cause of your snoring. We'll recommend treatments if you need them, such as medications, sleep devices or surgery.

Treatments for snoring

The best way to stop snoring is to lose weight. Other treatments include:

• Sleeping on your side
• Elevating your head with extra pillows
• Limiting alcohol, especially before bedtime
• Taking medication if you have allergies
• Using nasal strips or a fitted mouthpiece

Sleep apnea and snoring

Obstructive sleep apnea can cause chronic snoring. People with sleep apnea wake up repeatedly throughout the night because they gasp for air without realizing it.

Sleep apnea can result in daytime drowsiness. It also can cause cardiovascular problems, such as hypertension, stroke and an enlarged heart. People who are overweight or who drink alcohol are more prone to sleep apnea.

Treatments for sleep apnea include:

• Continuous positive airway pressure therapy (CPAP)
• Surgery to:
  • Remove the tonsils or adenoids (tissue in the back of the throat)
  • Tighten or remove tissue in the throat or soft palate

What causes snoring?

Snoring occurs when air flowing through the nose and mouth gets blocked during sleep. Relaxed tissue in the throat blocks the airway. The more narrow the passageway created by the blockage, the louder the vibration.

Your doctor may recommend a sleep study if you are a habitual snorer. Sleep studies monitor brain waves, heart rate and body movements during sleep. Your doctor may also order imaging tests to look for an obstruction in the:

• Mouth
• Throat
• Tonsils
• Sinuses or deviated septum

Snoring symptoms

Some symptoms occur at night, while others occur during the day. Symptoms can include:

• Harsh noises during sleep
• Snoring that disturbs a partner's sleep
• Fitful sleep or repeated waking during the night
• Daytime drowsiness or inability to concentrate
• Morning headache or sore throat
• Hypertension