What is Snoring?

It is estimated that nearly 50% of adults snore. Men are twice as likely as women to snore; however that gap closes after menopause. While snoring may be a nuisance to your partner, it may be a sign of a more serious health problem.

Snoring occurs when air flows past relaxed tissues in your throat, causing the tissues to vibrate while you sleep, which produces those annoying sounds. Snoring may be intermittent and mild with no health consequences. However, snoring can also be a warning sign of sleep apnea. More than 75% of patients who snore on a regular basis have sleep apnea. The health risks of sleep apnea are well documented. However, research indicates that snoring may pose health risks, as well. Excessive daytime sleepiness is the most common complaint of snorers.

Snoring indicates, at the very least, that the airway is partially obstructing during sleep. This obstruction most commonly occurs at the palate (roof of mouth, tonsils, uvula), but can also occur in the nose and tongue. Snoring can be provoked by weight gain, head colds, allergies and sinus problems. After addressing these problems, simple snoring should be improved. If not, this may be an indication of a more serious issue. It is difficult for patients to distinguish between simple snoring and sleep apnea. Thus, regular snoring needs to be evaluated by a sleep specialist. A complete examination and diagnostic testing will be necessary to determine your problem and rule out sleep apnea.

While the health risks of sleep apnea and snoring are widely discussed, less is understood regarding the consequences of sleeping with a snorer. Recent studies suggest that sleeping with a snorer is more than a nuisance and can take a toll on the bed partner’s health. People who sleep next to loud snorers report high levels of fatigue and sleepiness. In addition, bed partners of snorers have a lower quality of life and an increased risk of depression due to interrupted sleep. These studies also showed that after the snorers were adequately treated, the bed partners experienced a significant improvement in their quality of life and a reduction in fatigue.

Snoring also causes serious social issues. Snoring is strongly linked to relationship and marital problems. USA Today reports that more than 25% of couples over the age of 40 in the United States sleep in separate rooms due to sleeping. This loss of intimacy may add strain to a relationship that is already suffering due to the physical and mental consequences associated with snoring and sleep apnea.

Snoring is very treatable. Simple snoring treatment options may include: weight loss, side-sleeping, alcohol and certain medication avoidance at bedtime. It is critical to be evaluated by a sleep specialist who has experience with all treatment modalities. First, we will determine if you have isolated snoring or sleep apnea. In addition, you will need to be examined to identify where your airway obstructs so treatment can be directed to this area. This will allow for a more successful result. Once this is determined, your individual snoring treatment plan can be designed. If simple measures do not resolve your snoring, surgical snoring treatments can often be performed in any of our six (6) office locations in the Philadelphia area: East Norriton (19401), Roxborough (19128), Chestnut Hill (19118), Willow Grove (19090), Lansdale (19446), and Phoenixville (19456).

Learn More About Snoring

Tired All the Time? Maybe You Need More Sleep!

Is Snoring Ruining Your Sex Life?

How Snoring May Cause Weight Gain

Snoring Can Kill You

Can Snoring Ruin a Relationship?

Snoring Statistics 2013

Your Tongue Could Be the Cause of Snoring