Understanding Chronic Snoring
Snoring is incredibly common, affecting approximately 90 million American adults. While occasional snoring is normal, chronic snoring—loud, disruptive snoring that occurs nightly—can significantly impact quality of life for both the snorer and their sleep partner.
More importantly, chronic snoring is often a warning sign of underlying airway or health issues that deserve attention.
What Causes Snoring?
Snoring occurs when air cannot flow freely through your nose and throat during sleep. As you breathe, the restricted airflow causes the relaxed soft tissues of your throat to vibrate, creating the familiar snoring sound.
The Mechanics of Snoring
During sleep:
- Your muscles relax, including those in your throat
- Your tongue falls back slightly
- Your soft palate and uvula can partially block the airway
- Air forced through the narrowed space causes tissue vibration
- This vibration produces snoring sounds
Common Contributing Factors
Anatomical Issues:
- Large or low-hanging soft palate
- Elongated uvula
- Large tonsils or adenoids
- Large tongue (macroglossia)
- Recessed jaw or chin
- Deviated nasal septum
- Narrow throat
Lifestyle Factors:
- Excess weight: Fat around the neck narrows the airway
- Alcohol consumption: Relaxes throat muscles excessively
- Sedative medications: Further relax airway muscles
- Sleep deprivation: Leads to deeper sleep and more relaxation
- Smoking: Causes inflammation and swelling in airways
Sleep Position:
- Snoring is typically worse when sleeping on your back
- Gravity pulls tissues backward, further narrowing the airway
Age and Gender:
- Men are more likely to snore
- Risk increases with age as muscle tone decreases
Primary Snoring vs. Sleep Apnea Snoring
It’s crucial to understand the difference:
Primary Snoring
- Loud snoring without significant breathing interruptions
- Normal blood oxygen levels maintained
- No excessive daytime sleepiness
- Annoying but not medically dangerous itself
Snoring with Obstructive Sleep Apnea
- Snoring accompanied by breathing pauses
- Gasping or choking sounds
- Oxygen desaturation events
- Severe daytime sleepiness
- Serious health risks if untreated
The challenge: You can’t tell the difference without proper evaluation and testing.
Why Snoring Should Be Evaluated
Even if your snoring isn’t caused by sleep apnea, evaluation is important because:
It Could Be Sleep Apnea
- Loud, chronic snoring is the #1 symptom of OSA
- Sleep apnea carries serious health risks
- Early diagnosis and treatment prevent complications
- Only a sleep study can definitively rule out sleep apnea
It Affects Quality of Life
- Disrupted sleep for bed partners
- Relationship strain and frustration
- Embarrassment when traveling or sharing rooms
- Poor sleep quality even without apnea
It May Indicate Other Issues
- Upper airway resistance syndrome
- Nasal or sinus problems
- Anatomical abnormalities
- Weight or health concerns
Health Impacts of Chronic Snoring
Even without full sleep apnea, chronic snoring can affect health:
Sleep Disruption:
- Frequent micro-arousals (partial awakenings)
- Lighter, less restorative sleep
- Reduced sleep efficiency
Cardiovascular Strain:
- Vibration may damage blood vessels in the neck
- Some studies link heavy snoring to cardiovascular risk
- Associated with high blood pressure in some cases
Partner Impact:
- Average snoring can reach 70-90 decibels
- Partners lose an average of 1-2 hours of sleep per night
- Separate bedrooms become necessary for many couples
Treatment Options for Snoring
Oral Appliance Therapy
Custom-fitted oral appliances are highly effective for snoring treatment. By repositioning the jaw forward during sleep:
- The airway opens
- Tissue vibration decreases
- Snoring reduces or stops completely
Effectiveness:
- Studies show significant snoring reduction in most patients
- High patient and partner satisfaction
- Non-invasive and comfortable
- Works for primary snoring and mild-moderate OSA
Learn more about snoring treatment →
Lifestyle Modifications
Weight Loss:
- Even 10% body weight reduction can help
- Reduces fat deposits around the airway
- Improves overall health
Positional Therapy:
- Sleeping on your side instead of back
- Special pillows or devices to maintain position
- Can reduce snoring by 50% in some positional snorers
Avoiding Triggers:
- Limit alcohol, especially before bed
- Avoid sedating medications when possible
- Address nasal congestion
- Quit smoking
Surgical Options
Reserved for specific anatomical issues:
- Enlarged tonsils removal
- Deviated septum correction
- Soft palate reduction procedures
Surgery is typically considered only when conservative treatments fail and anatomical issues are identified.
Our Approach to Snoring Treatment
Step 1: Comprehensive Evaluation
We assess your:
- Snoring history and patterns
- Symptoms of possible sleep apnea
- Anatomical factors
- Lifestyle contributors
Step 2: Sleep Study Recommendation
We strongly recommend sleep testing before treating snoring to:
- Rule out obstructive sleep apnea
- Establish baseline measurements
- Ensure appropriate treatment
Important: Sleep apnea must be diagnosed by a physician. We coordinate with physicians who order and interpret home sleep tests.
Step 3: Custom Oral Appliance
If appropriate, we provide a custom oral appliance:
- Precise digital impressions
- Custom fabrication
- Careful fitting and adjustment
- Follow-up to ensure effectiveness
Step 4: Outcome Assessment
We verify treatment success through:
- Patient and partner feedback
- Symptom improvement
- Follow-up sleep testing if initially diagnosed with OSA
When to Seek Help for Snoring
Consider evaluation if you:
- Snore loudly every night
- Have witnessed breathing pauses
- Experience daytime sleepiness
- Have morning headaches or dry mouth
- Your partner is affected by your snoring
- You’re concerned about sleep apnea
Success Stories
Many patients report:
- Complete elimination of snoring
- Partner’s first good night’s sleep in years
- Improved relationship quality
- Relief from dry mouth and sore throat
- Confidence when traveling
Getting Started
Don’t let snoring continue to disrupt your sleep and relationships. Schedule a consultation to:
- Discuss your snoring concerns
- Get recommendations for sleep testing
- Learn about oral appliance options
- Start your journey to quiet nights
Note: Home sleep apnea testing (HSAT) is ordered and interpreted by a physician. We coordinate testing and provide oral appliance therapy in collaboration with the patient’s sleep physician.