Sleep-related breathing disorders
Snoring (Primary Snoring)
Noisy breathing caused by vibrating tissue in a narrowed throat. Primary snoring happens without sleep apnea, but loud snoring should be checked.
Overview
Snoring is the sound of soft tissue in the throat and palate vibrating as air squeezes through a narrowed airway. Primary snoring, sometimes called simple snoring, means snoring without the breathing pauses, oxygen drops or frequent awakenings of sleep apnea.
Snoring is very common and often harmless to your health, although it can disrupt a bed partner's sleep. Alcohol, nasal congestion, sleeping on your back and weight gain all tend to make it worse.
The key step is ruling out obstructive sleep apnea. Loud snoring with gasping, observed pauses, daytime sleepiness or high blood pressure is a reason to ask about a sleep study rather than simply treating the noise.
Common symptoms
- Snoring noise during sleep, often louder on your back
- A bed partner complaining of disturbed sleep
- Dry mouth or sore throat in the morning
- Snoring that is worse after alcohol or when congested
- No observed breathing pauses and no unusual daytime sleepiness (in primary snoring)
Causes and risk factors
- Sleeping on your back
- Alcohol or sedatives before bed
- Nasal congestion, allergies or a deviated septum
- Excess weight
- A long soft palate, large uvula or large tonsils
- Older age, as throat muscle tone decreases
- Pregnancy
- Smoking
How it is diagnosed
A clinician asks about your snoring, sleepiness and health history and examines your nose, mouth and throat. Questionnaires such as STOP-Bang help estimate whether sleep apnea is likely.
If there are features of sleep apnea, such as observed pauses, gasping, daytime sleepiness or high blood pressure, a home sleep apnea test or in-lab polysomnogram is used. Primary snoring is the label used when testing shows snoring without significant apnea.
Treatment options
Positional therapy
Sleeping on your side, with a pillow or wearable positional device, often reduces snoring.
Lifestyle changes
Weight loss and avoiding alcohol near bedtime can reduce snoring.
Treating nasal congestion
Saline rinses, nasal steroid sprays for allergies or nasal dilator strips can help when the nose is blocked.
Oral appliance
A custom mandibular advancement device from a dentist moves the jaw forward and is effective for many snorers.
Surgery or office procedures
Procedures on the palate, tonsils or nose may help selected people, but results vary and snoring can return.
What you can do yourself
- Sleep on your side
- Avoid alcohol for 3 to 4 hours before bed
- Keep allergies and nasal congestion under control
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Stop smoking
- Raise the head of the bed slightly
When to see a doctor
- Someone notices you stop breathing, choke or gasp during sleep
- You feel sleepy or unrefreshed during the day
- You have high blood pressure, heart disease or diabetes along with snoring
- Your child snores most nights
- Snoring has recently become much louder or started after weight gain
Frequently asked questions
Is snoring always a sign of sleep apnea?
No. Many people snore without sleep apnea. But snoring is the most common symptom of obstructive sleep apnea, so loud snoring with gasping, pauses or daytime sleepiness should be evaluated.
Do anti-snoring mouthpieces work?
Mandibular advancement devices that hold the lower jaw forward reduce snoring for many people, and custom-fitted devices made by a dentist tend to be more comfortable and adjustable. Make sure sleep apnea has been ruled out first, because a mouthpiece that quiets snoring could hide untreated apnea.
Why do I snore more after drinking?
Alcohol relaxes the muscles that keep your throat open, so the airway narrows and vibrates more easily. It can also worsen sleep apnea. Avoiding alcohol in the hours before bed often reduces snoring.
Can nasal strips stop snoring?
External nasal dilator strips can help when snoring comes mainly from a blocked nose. They do little for snoring that comes from the throat and do not treat sleep apnea.
Sources
This page is general information, not a diagnosis or medical advice. Read our medical disclaimer.