Snoring

Snoring varies from person to person and may occur all the time, or at certain times, such as when you’re extremely tired, have consumed alcohol, are sleeping on your back, or are unwell. 

The main symptom of snoring is a rhythmic, noisy, rattling sound during sleep. 

Your snoring may be a symptom of sleep apnoea if you also experience the following:

• pauses in your breathing while asleep

• making gasping, snorting, or choking noises when you’re asleep

• waking up with a dry mouth or sore throat

• waking up with a headache or developing a headache in the morning

• insomnia

• feeling very sleepy during the day

• difficult concentrating

• irritability and/or mood swings

• night sweats

Snoring is caused by the vibration of the tissues at the back of your throat. When you sleep, the muscles at the back of your throat relax and loosen, making your airway narrower. As you breathe in and out, the moving air causes the tissue to vibrate and make the noise we know as snoring. 

You may be more likely to snore if you: 

• have blocked nasal airways - this could be due to allergies, infections, or problems inside your nose, such as nasal polyps, a deviated septum, or blocked nasal passage 

• have large tonsils or excess tissue at the back of your throat 

• are overweight or obese

• smoke

• drink alcohol before bed 

• sleep on your back

• are pregnant

• take sedatives to help you sleep 

• have a more serious sleep disorder (such as OSA)

At your initial consultation, you’ll be seen by a consultant ENT. They may also want to speak to whoever you share a bed with to get a clearer picture of your snoring. 

Your consultant will ask you about your symptoms, general health, medical history, lifestyle, and any medications you take regularly. They may perform a physical examination of your nose, mouth, and throat to check for any abnormalities such as blockages. 

They may also request some tests to find out what is causing your symptoms or confirm your diagnosis. This could involve a CT scan or an MRI scan to check for any structural issues that could be causing your snoring.

Your consultant will make a diagnosis using a combination of your symptoms, physical examination, and test results. They’ll explain your diagnosis to you and create a personalised treatment plan that best suits your needs.

Snoring can’t always be prevented, but the following steps can help treat occasional snoring and reduce the likelihood that you’ll snore: 

• lose weight if you need to and maintain a healthy weight 

• sleep on your side

• avoid drinking excessive alcohol and using sedatives 

• don’t smoke 

• if you have a cold or allergies, take over-the-counter medications to treat a blocked or stuffy nose 

• raise the head of your bed

Snoring isn’t usually harmful to your health, but long-term snoring can put a strain on your relationship, which can affect your overall well-being. 

Complications can occur as a result of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), as reduced oxygen levels and poor quality sleep can lead to tiredness, poor concentration, and memory problems during the day. 

Complications of OSA include: 

• an increased risk of accidents 

• high blood pressure

• heart disease

• stroke

• type 2 diabetes

• liver problems

• depression

Treatment for snoring depends on how severe your snoring is and whether you have OSA. Your consultant will create a treatment plan for you based on your symptoms, diagnosis and any other treatments you’ve tried previously. 

Treatments for snoring include: 

• lifestyle changes such as weight management, changing your sleeping position, and avoiding alcohol, smoking, and sleeping medication

• type: entry-hyperlink id: 2dNRZ3KG5G8T8BZqhSlp5Z – this is a treatment for OSA that involves being connected to a CPAP machine overnight. The machine pushes air through your nostrils and/or mouth through a mask, keeping your airways open

• surgery – in some cases, your consultant may recommend surgery to remove excess tissue or enlarged tonsils, or correct a deviated septum if these are the cause of your snoring

At Welbeck, our ENT specialists are experts in their field and are dedicated to providing world-class care to every patient.

With access to colleagues across other specialities, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if required to ensure you receive the treatment you need as quickly as possible, all under one roof.  

All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.

Your health is important to us, so we strive to offer same-day appointments whenever possible.

Our consultants are recognised by the major health insurance companies. If you have private health insurance, your treatment at Welbeck can begin once you have obtained authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients. type: entry-hyperlink id: 1YuZ3V279a2oXY1AQY67BC about the different payment options at Welbeck.

Get in touch today to book an appointment.