Medical Encyclopedia

 

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Snoring

Contents of this page:

Illustrations

Throat anatomy
Throat anatomy

Definition    Return to top

Snoring is a loud, hoarse, or harsh breathing sound that occurs during sleep.

Considerations    Return to top

Snoring is common in adults and is not necessarily a sign of an underlying disorder.

Sometimes, however, snoring can be a sign of a sleep disorder called sleep apnea. This means you have periods when you are not breathing for more than 10 seconds while you sleep. The episode is followed by a sudden snort or gasp when breathing resumes. Then, snoring starts all over again. If you have sleep apnea, this cycle generally happens several times a night. Sleep apnea is not as common as snoring.

A doctor (or a sleep specialist) can tell if you have sleep apnea by doing a sleep study either at home or in a hospital setting.

Snoring is an important social problem. Persons who share a bed with a someone who snores can develop sleep difficulties.

Causes    Return to top

In most people, the reason for snoring is not known. Some potential causes (other than sleep apnea) include:

Home Care    Return to top

The following tips can help reduce snoring:

When to Contact a Medical Professional    Return to top

Talk to your doctor if you have:

Children with chronic snoring should also be evaluated for apnea. Sleep apnea in children has been linked to growth problems, ADHD, poor school performance, learning difficulties, bedwetting, and high blood pressure. Most children who snore do NOT have apnea, but a sleep study is the only reliable way to tell for sure.

What to Expect at Your Office Visit    Return to top

Your doctor will ask questions to evaluate your snoring and perform a physical exam, paying careful attention to your throat, mouth, and neck.

Questions may include the following (some of which your partner might have to answer):

Referral to a sleep specialist for sleep studies may be needed.

Treatment options include:

References    Return to top

Friedman M, Schalch P. Surgery of the palate and oropharynx. Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 2007 Aug;40(4):829-43.

Patil SP, Schneider H, Schwartz AR, Smith PL. Adult obstructive sleep apnea: pathophysiology and diagnosis. Chest. 2007 Jul;132(1):325-37.

Basner RC. Continuous positive airway pressure for obstructive sleep apnea. N Engl J Med. 2007 Apr 26;356(17):1751-8.

Update Date: 9/17/2008

Updated by: Allen J. Blaivas, DO, Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Department of Veteran Affairs, VA New Jersey Health Care System, East Orange , NJ . Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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