Snoring

Snoring is the sound produced during sleep when air passes over the throat during breathing, causing it to vibrate. These vibrations can create a whole range of sounds, from soft murmurs to loud, disruptive noises.

Common Causes of Snoring:

• Sleep Apnea: This serious condition involves repeated breathing interruptions during sleep due to blocked airways.

• Narrow Airway: A naturally narrow throat can lead to increased snoring.

• Enlarged Tonsils: Swollen and enlarged tonsils and adenoids in the throat can obstruct breathing during sleep.

• Alcohol Consumption: Drinking alcohol before bed relaxes throat muscles, increasing the likelihood of snoring.

• Nasal Issues: A deviated septum or other chronic nasal obstruction can cause snoring by restricting airflow.

• Sleeping Position: Sleeping on your back allows gravity to pull the sensitive tissues in your throat down, making snoring more likely.

There are several treatments and lifestyle changes that can help reduce or even stop snoring.

Lifestyle Modifications to Reduce Snoring:

• Sleeping on your side can help prevent the tongue and soft tissues in the throat from blocking the airway.
• Managing any allergies can help to reduce nasal congestion and improve airflow.
• Avoiding alcohol before bedtime.
• Maintaining a healthy weight.

Even small changes can have a dramatic effect on snoring for many people and help to improve sleep quality.

While occasional snoring might not be a cause for concern, certain signs can indicate when it’s time to consult a healthcare professional. You should schedule a consultation with one of our ENT specialists if:

• You snore loudly and have periods of silence followed by gasping or choking sounds, which could be a sign of obstructive sleep apnea.
• You experience excessive daytime sleepiness, fatigue, or trouble concentrating, which are signs of disrupted sleep patterns.
• Your child snores regularly, as this could indicate enlarged tonsils or another medical condition that should be evaluated.
• Your snoring has started to negatively affect your relationship or daily life, making it difficult to share a bedroom or causing embarrassment.

Speaking to one of our ENT specialists can help determine whether your snoring is a sign of a more serious condition and what treatments might be available.

If lifestyle changes aren’t effective at managing your snoring, medical treatments may be necessary to find relief. At Pinnacle ENT, our otolaryngologist, an ENT specialist, will assess your condition and recommend the best course of treatment, which might include any of the following:

• Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP): CPAP machines deliver steady air pressure through a mask, keeping your airways open during sleep.
• Surgery: Surgery may be recommended if other treatments fail, Our specialists will discuss the various surgical options and determine which is best suited to your condition.

When surgery is deemed necessary, surgical procedures to address snoring can include:

• Pillar Procedure: This is where polyester filament is injected into the soft palate to make it more rigid and stiff, reducing the vibrations that can lead to snoring.

• Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP): A surgical procedure that removes excess tissue from the throat, including the uvula, soft palate, tonsils, adenoids, and pharynx, to enlarge the airway.

• Laser Surgery: This procedure uses lasers to remove excess tissue from the soft palate to clear the airway.
• Somnoplasty (Radiofrequency Tissue Ablation): This treatment uses low-intensity radio frequencies to shrink excess tissue in the soft palate to reduce snoring.