Did you know?

45 percent of normal adults snore at least occasionally, and 25 percent are habitual snorers. However, problem snoring is more frequent in males and overweight persons, and usually grows worse with age.

There are more than 300 registered patents in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office as cures for snoring, many of which are variations on the old idea of sewing a sock holding a tennis ball on the pajama back to force the snorer to sleep on their side. Some devices reposition the lower jaw forward; some open nasal air passages; a few others have been designed to condition a person not to snore by producing unpleasant stimuli when snoring occurs. Nevertheless, the truth about snoring is that it is not under your control. The majority of anti-snoring devices work only because they keep you awake.

What Causes Snoring?

The noisy sounds of snoring occur when there is an obstruction to the free flow of air through the passages at the back of the mouth and nose. This area is the collapsible part of the airway (see illustration) where the tongue and upper throat meet the soft palate and uvula. Snoring occurs when these structures strike each other and vibrate during breathing.

People who snore may suffer from:

  • Poor muscle tone in the tongue and throat. When muscles are too relaxed, either from alcohol or drugs that cause sleepiness, the tongue falls backwards into the airway or the throat muscles draw in from the sides into the airway. This can also happen during deep sleep
  • Excessive bulkiness of throat tissue. Children with large tonsils and adenoids often snore. Overweight people may have bulky neck tissue. Cysts or tumors can also cause bulk, but they are rare
  • Long soft palate and/or uvula. A long palate narrows the opening from the nose into the throat. As it dangles, it acts as a noisy flutter valve during relaxed breathing. A long uvula makes matters even worse
  • Obstructed nasal airways. A stuffy or blocked nose requires extra effort to pull air through it. This creates an exaggerated vacuum in the throat, and pulls together the floppy tissues of the throat causing snoring. Snoring often occurs only during the hay fever season or with a cold or sinus infection
  • Deformities of the nose or nasal septum, such as a deviated septum (a deformity of the wall that separates one nostril from the other) can cause such an obstruction

Is Snoring Serious?

Snoring can be a serious problem both socially and medically. Socially, a snorer may contribute to others’ sleepless nights. Medically, snoring disturbs sleeping patterns and deprives the snorer of appropriate rest. When snoring is severe, it can also cause long-term health problems, including obstructive sleep apnea.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) occurs when loud snoring is interrupted by frequent episodes of completely obstructed breathing. Serious episodes last more than ten seconds each and occur more than seven times per hour. Apnea patients may experience 30 to 300 of such events per night. These episodes can reduce blood oxygen levels, causing the heart to pump harder.

However, the immediate effect of OSA is that the snorer must sleep lightly and keep their muscles tense in order to keep airflow to the lungs. Because the snorer does not get an ample amount of rest, they may become fatigued during the day, which may impair job performance. After many years with this disorder, elevated blood pressure and heart enlargement may occur.

Can Heavy Snoring be Cured?

Heavy snorers, those who snore in any position or are disruptive to the family, should seek medical advice to ensure that OSA is not a problem. Patients should be referred to an otolaryngologist to provide a thorough examination of the nose, mouth, throat, palate, and neck. A sleep study in a laboratory environment may be necessary to determine how serious the snoring is, and what effects it has on the snorer's health.

Snoring Treatment

Treatment is unique to each diagnosis. An examination can reveal the cause of snoring, whether it is nasal allergies, infection, deformity, or tonsils and adenoids.
Snoring or obstructive sleep apnea may respond to various treatments now offered by many otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeons, including:

  • Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) is surgery for treating obstructive sleep apnea. It tightens flabby tissues in the throat and palate, and expands air passages
  • Genioglossus and hyoid advancement is a surgical procedure for the treatment of sleep apnea. It prevents collapse of the lower throat and pulls the tongue muscles forward, thereby opening the obstructed airway
  • If surgery is too risky or unwanted, the patient may sleep each night with a nasal mask that delivers air pressure into the throat, which is referred to as continuous positive airway pressure or "CPAP"
  • Inpsire® therapy may be available for those with severe cases. A small device and sensing lead are implanted under the skin just below the collarbone (clavicle). These work together to connect the device to the hypoglossal nerve, which controls the muscles of the tongue. While sleeping, the lead monitors every breath. When it senses that breathing has become interrupted, it delivers mild stimulation to the hypoglossal nerve, causing the tongue to move appropriately and open the airway. Learn more about Inspire®

A chronically snoring child should be examined for problems with his or her tonsils and adenoids. A tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy may be required to return the child to full health.

Self-Help for the Light Snorer

Adults who suffer from mild or occasional snoring should try the following self-help remedies:

  • Adopt a healthy and active lifestyle to develop muscle tone and lose weight, if necessary
  • Avoid tranquilizers, sleeping pills, and antihistamines before bedtime
  • Avoid alcohol for at least four hours before and heavy meals or snacks for three hours before bed
  • Establish a regular sleeping routine
  • Sleep on your side rather than your back
  • Tilt the head of your bed upwards four inches

Snoring means obstructed breathing, and obstruction can be serious. Do not hesitate to contact your physician.

The information provided above is for general use only, and medical decisions should not be made without consulting a physician. The information is provided by The American Academy of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery Foundation