Snoring

What is snoring?

Snoring is the sound you make when air flows through the relaxed tissues in your throat. The airflow causes these tissues to vibrate, creating the whistling, hoarse, or rattling sound. 

Almost everyone snores at some point or another. However, snoring is also a common symptom of sleep apnea, a serious sleep disorder in which you repeatedly stop and restart breathing while you sleep.

What are the common causes of snoring?

Snoring is a symptom of many conditions that may affect the flow of air through your nose, mouth, or throat. Some common causes of snoring include:

• Nasal congestion
• Nasal polyps
• Deviated septum
• Post nasal drip
• Sinusitis
• Allergies
• Pregnancy
• Enlarged adenoids, tonsils, or tongue
• Structural abnormalities
• Alcohol or drugs that relax the muscles
• Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)
• Central sleep apnea

Pediatric sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is a general term for breathing problems in children while they sleep. Frequent, loud snoring is the most common symptom of SDB.

Obstructive sleep apnea is a type of pediatric SDB, which is when soft tissue in the mouth or throat blocks the airway, affecting the flow of oxygen into the lungs. OSA is a serious health condition in children and adults. 

When do I need professional help for snoring?

If you snore regularly, you should schedule an evaluation at Massachusetts Ear, Nose and Throat Associates. Though not always a serious health concern, snoring is a symptom of sleep apnea in children and adults.

You also need professional help if you have other concerning symptoms with your snoring, such as:

• Daytime sleepiness
• Poor concentration during the day
• Waking up with a dry mouth or headache
• Restless sleep
• Gasping or choking while you sleep

In children, the team recommends scheduling a consultation if your child snores and is having a hard time concentrating and learning at school. Bedwetting is also a sign of SDB.

What are the treatments for snoring?

The team at Massachusetts Ear, Nose and Throat Associates customizes your snoring treatment plan based on the underlying cause. 

For sleep apnea, the team recommends a treatment that keeps the airway open while you sleep, such as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, an oral appliance, or the Inspire® device — a neuromodulation device that uses mild electrical stimulation to keep the airway open. 

The team also provides specific treatments for allergies, sinusitis, deviated septum, and nasal congestion.

In some cases, the team may recommend surgery to keep the airway open and stop the snoring, such as endoscopic removal of nasal polyps.

For help with snoring, call Massachusetts Ear, Nose and Throat Associates or schedule an appointment online today.