Snoring Factsheet

What causes snoring?

Partial obstrucion of the airway at the back of the nose and throat (the nasopharynx) makes the surrounding structures reverberate when breathing.

These symptoms arise most commonly from nasal obstruction, obesity (causing obstruction in the throat) and excess lymphoid tissue at the back of the throat.

Is snoring ever dangerous?

Yes, when it causes sleep apnoea. This is a particularly severe consequence of snoring in which the airway becomes completely blocked for up to three minutes causing the sufferer to wake with a start.

This can cause daytime somnolence together with poor concentration.

How should snoring be investigated?

Severe cases, when there is a suspicion of sleep apnoea, should ALWAYS be investigated in a sleep laboratory where multi-channel observations are taken with the patient asleep overnight.

What can be done to relieve snoring?

Weight loss is imperative when obesity is a factor.

Patients with nasal obstruction, usually due to deformity of the nasal septum or nasal allergy, should be referred to an ENT surgeon for treatment.

Blockage occuring at night in the back of the throat can be prevented by wearing an orthodontic appliance which prevents the lower jaw from slipping backwards at night. This device has to be made by a specialist dental surgeon on the advice of a respiratory physician.

Is treatment of snoring worth the effort?

Yes, a potentially dangerous situation can be corrected and marriages are salvaged by treating snoring!

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