There is usually only one reason why the airway causes noise during sleep, with the main issue being something – tissue – partially blocking the airway. This causes the air passing to cause the tissue to vibrate. This vibration causes the loud noise of snoring. Snoring is often related to the position or size of the jaw, nasal passages, throat and mouth.
The most common causes of snoring
- Nasal congestion (hayfever, cold)
- Deformed or irregularly-shaped nose and nasal cavity
- Swollen adenoids or tonsils
- Sleep position
- Being overweight
- Allergies
- Food intolerances
- Pregnancy
- Over-eating at night
- Some medications
Typical treatments for snoring
If snoring is disruptive to sleep (of you or someone else next to you), an overnight sleep study may be undertaken to find out the exact nature of your snoring. A sleep disorder assessment will be made to check for, in particular, obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). Treatment will depend heavily on the cause of your snoring, your age, body weight, medical history, airway anatomy, and other factors.
Some common treatments include:
- Adhesive devices covering the nostrils
- Sleeping only on your side using special devices
- Losing weight
- Quitting smoking
- Special dental devices to hold the mouth in a certain position
- For OSA the use of a special air pump
- Nasal steroids
- Allergy treatments
- Nasal sprays
- Surgery to open passageways
- Nasal strips
- Reducing use of alcohol and sedative drugs at bedtime
- Radiofrequency and laser assisted treatments, which we offer at ENRICH
Treatment varies depending on the cause, so you need to have your snoring investigated by a specialist to rule out more serious conditions prior to visiting our clinic for assistance with snoring. We have state-of-the-art equipment with a proven track record for helping snorers and their loved ones get a better night’s sleep.
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