About Snoring

Snoring

Snoring occurs when a person's airway is partly blocked or their breathing is otherwise obstructed during sleep. At best, snoring can be irritating to others, but in more severe cases, it can lead to serious health problems. At miVIP Surgery Centers, a variety of surgical treatments are offered to help treat snoring disorders.

Snoring is certainly not a new health problem, but the understanding of its causes, consequences, and treatment options has progressed in recent years. There are many options, including tonsil removal and nasal surgery, that can help people who snore sleep better and avoid potential health issues associated with sleep disruption.

Statistics on Snoring

Snoring is fairly common, although not every person who snores has a snoring disorder. The Mayo Clinic reports that half of Americans snore sometimes. According to the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, between 30 and 50 percent of adults snore.

Causes of Snoring

Snoring occurs when tissues in the throat relax at night and obstruct the airway. People who are overweight, have swollen tissue, or use relaxants like sedatives overnight are at a greater risk of having snoring disorders. People who have nasal congestion or a deviated nasal septum are also more likely to snore. Sometimes, lifestyle changes can help the condition. In other situations, surgery like tonsil removal or nasal surgery may be appropriate, depending on how severe symptoms are.
 

Common Snoring Symptoms

The most obvious sign of snoring is disturbed sleep and noise that a sleeping partner may notice. People who snore may also experience choking, gasping, throat pain, chest pain, sudden starts, and daytime sleep deprivation symptoms. If you snore and are disturbing your partner's sleep, or if you wake up at night struggling to breathe, you may have a more serious condition such as obstructive sleep apnea.

Treatments for Snoring

There are various ways to treat snoring disorders, from lifestyle changes to surgery. Treatment options include:

• Losing weight
• Abstaining from alcohol before bedtime
• Avoiding caffeine late in the day
• Giving up nighttime sedatives
• Sleeping on the side rather than the back
• Nasal surgery
• Uvuloplasty
• Tonsil removal