15580 Snoring

Overview

Snoring is the rough, hoarse sound you make when air flows past relaxed tissues in your throat, causing them to vibrate as you breathe during sleep.

Yes. Around 40% of adults snore at least occasionally, and it becomes more common with age.

Snoring can affect anyone, but it is more common in people who are overweight, in men, in middle-aged or older adults, and in people with conditions that narrow the airway, such as a blocked nose or enlarged tonsils.

Symptoms

Common symptoms

• Loud, hoarse or raspy sound while sleeping
• Breathing through the mouth during sleep
• Waking up with a dry or sore throat
• Restless sleep or daytime tiredness
• Periods where breathing stops, then gasping or choking (this may be sleep apnoea)

Symptoms in children

• Loud, nightly snoring
• Breathing pauses or gasping during sleep
• Sleeping with the neck overextended or sitting up to breathe
• Mouth breathing, difficulty concentrating at school, or behavioural issues

Symptoms in older adults

• Snoring that becomes louder or more irregular
• Daytime sleepiness or needing naps
• Morning headaches, confusion or memory problems
• Waking up often to urinate (nocturia)

Causes

Main causes

• Airway obstruction from relaxed throat muscles and soft tissue
• Narrowed airways due to nasal congestion, a deviated septum, or enlarged tonsils/adenoids
• Being overweight, which can put extra pressure on the airway
• Alcohol, sleeping pills, or sedatives that relax throat muscles more
• Sleeping on your back, allowing the tongue to fall back and block the airway

Risk factors

• Overweight or obesity (especially with a large neck circumference)
• Male sex
• Age over 40
• Pregnancy
• Allergies, asthma, or chronic nasal congestion
• Smoking or exposure to second-hand smoke
• Consuming alcohol in the evening
• A family history of snoring or sleep apnoea

When to see a doctor

See a doctor urgently if:

• You or your partner notice pauses in your breathing, gasping, or choking during sleep
• You feel extremely sleepy during the day and find it hard to stay awake while driving or at work
• Your child has any of the urgent symptoms listed above

Book a routine appointment if:

• Snoring is loud and disturbs your partner or family
• You wake up tired despite a full night's sleep
• You have morning headaches, dry mouth, or a sore throat

Diagnosis

Your doctor will ask about your snoring pattern, your sleep habits, your medical history, and whether your partner has noticed pauses in your breathing. They will also examine your nose, mouth, and throat to look for blockage.

Tests that may be done

• A sleep study (polysomnography) can measure your breathing, oxygen levels, and heart rate overnight. In some places you may do this at home.
• You may be asked to keep a sleep diary for a few weeks.

What to expect at your appointment

Your doctor may ask you to complete a questionnaire about daytime sleepiness. If they suspect sleep apnoea, they may refer you to a sleep specialist. You don't need to be embarrassed—many adults snore, and help is available.

Treatment

Treatment focuses on reducing the blockage in your airway and managing underlying causes. For mild snoring, lifestyle changes often help. If snoring is caused by sleep apnoea, a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine may be recommended, which keeps your airway open with a gentle flow of air.

Self-care at home

• Sleep on your side instead of your back
• Avoid alcohol, sleeping pills, and sedatives in the evening
• Lose weight if you are overweight
• Clear a blocked nose before bed with saline sprays or a humidifier
• Try a nasal strip to improve airflow

Medical treatments

For persistent snoring related to nasal congestion, your doctor may suggest treating the underlying allergy or congestion with over-the-counter or prescription options. They may also discuss oral devices fitted by a dentist that position your jaw forward to keep your airway open. If you have sleep apnoea, the main treatment is a machine that delivers air through a mask, which can dramatically improve sleep and health.

When is surgery considered?

In rare cases, surgery may be considered to remove or repair tissue that blocks the airway (for example, tonsillectomy for enlarged tonsils, or correction of a deviated septum). Surgery is only after other treatments have been tried and is not recommended for everyone.

Living with this condition

Living with snoring can be frustrating, especially for your partner. It helps to talk openly about it and try solutions together. Keep a regular sleep schedule and make sure your bedroom is quiet, dark, and cool.

Lifestyle tips

• Set a regular bedtime
• Create a relaxing pre-sleep routine
• Keep your bedroom comfortable
• Consider using a body pillow to stay on your side
• Try a wedge pillow to elevate your head slightly

Diet and exercise

Healthy eating and regular physical activity can help you maintain a healthy weight, which reduces pressure on your airway. Try to finish meals at least two hours before bed and avoid heavy meals late at night.

Mental health and emotional wellbeing

Snoring can affect your relationship and cause embarrassment or anxiety. You may also feel tired and irritable. It's important to talk to your partner and to a doctor if snoring is making you feel low, anxious, or exhausted.

Prevention

Not all snoring can be prevented, but you can reduce the risk by keeping to a healthy weight, avoiding alcohol before bed, sleeping on your side, and treating nasal congestion early.

Screening programmes

If you have high blood pressure, diabetes, or a history of a stroke, it's especially worth asking your doctor about sleep apnoea screening if you snore and feel tired.

Complications

If left untreated

• Untreated sleep apnoea can increase the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.
• It can also lead to severe daytime sleepiness, which raises the risk of accidents while driving or operating machinery.
• In children, untreated sleep apnoea can affect growth, learning, and behaviour.

Long-term outlook

For most people, snoring can be managed well with simple changes and medical support if needed. With the right treatment, you and your partner can get a better night's sleep, and any associated health risks can be reduced.

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