Snoring

Is Your Snoring a Problem?

Snoring is the sound of tissues in the throat vibrating as air moves past them during sleep. It is very common, but loud, nightly snoring can be a warning sign of obstructive sleep apnea, a condition in which the airway repeatedly narrows or closes during sleep and oxygen levels drop.

Snoring deserves a medical evaluation if you also:

  • Have pauses in breathing, choking or gasping that a bed partner notices
  • Wake up unrefreshed or with morning headaches
  • Feel sleepy during the day or while driving
  • Have high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation, heart failure, diabetes or a history of stroke
  • Wake up often to urinate at night
Schedule a Sleep Evaluation

Diagnosis & Treatment

How we evaluate snoring

We review your sleep history, examine your nose, mouth and throat, and assess your risk for sleep apnea. Most patients then complete a home sleep apnea test or an in-lab sleep study so we know whether the snoring is harmless or a sign of a breathing disorder.

Treatment options

  • If sleep apnea is found: CPAP or other positive airway pressure therapy, an oral appliance, or referral for other therapies depending on severity
  • Weight loss when appropriate, which can reduce or eliminate snoring
  • Sleeping on your side and raising the head of the bed
  • Avoiding alcohol and sedating medications close to bedtime
  • Treating nasal congestion and allergies
  • Referral to a dentist for a custom oral appliance, or to an ENT surgeon for anatomic problems

See also: Sleep Apnea · Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome

Schedule a Sleep Evaluation