Snoring is a symptom of sleep apnea. A person who experiences this condition may appear to stop breathing for a while as they sleep, then make choking or gasping sounds. Sleep apnea has links with other conditions, such as hypertension, congestive heart failure , hypothyroidism , or problems relating to the nervous system. Experts also believe that sleep apnea contributes to high blood pressure. Several home remedies may help with snoring.
Drugs that act as depressants or sedatives aim to relax muscles, which can lead to snoring. Alcohol also acts as a depressant. People should only use prescription or over-the-counter sleep aids under the guidance of a doctor. Nasal congestion is often due to inflammation. Medicines and other techniques can help reduce congestion and inflammation. Sleeping position may affect snoring.
A person who sleeps on their back can cause their tongue to relax and block the airway. This might help prevent rolling over to the back sleeping position. There are also positional sleepers available online to help a person avoid sleeping on their back.
In a person with obesity, fat tissue can surround and narrow the airway, obstructing the airflow, which can lead to snoring. Maintaining a moderate weight may reduce the risk of snoring. A custom-fitted oral appliance, similar to a retainer or mouth guard, may help keep the airway open by moving the tongue and jaw slightly forward. Research suggests that throat exercises may help strengthen throat muscles and prevent them from collapsing during sleep in some people.
However, the study results are mild and inconsistent, while practitioners cannot agree on what these standardized exercises should be. Here are examples of exercises that some experts recommend:. Tobacco smoke is an irritant that can result in tissue inflammation. The upper airway is a narrow passage, so even small amounts of inflammation can restrict airflow.
Quitting smoking can help reduce this risk and lower the likelihood of other diseases and conditions. It may be necessary to get surgery to correct this condition. Talk to your doctor. Try not to consume alcohol for at least two hours leading up to your bedtime. Alcohol can relax the throat muscles, causing snoring. If you snore and take sedatives, talk to your doctor to see what your options are. Stopping sedative use before bed may ease your snoring.
Smoking is an unhealthy habit that can worsen your snoring. Talk to your doctor about therapies — such as gum or patches — that can help you quit. This prevents snoring. You need to see your dentist to get one of these devices made. If medically appropriate, wearing a pressurized air mask over your nose when you sleep can help keep your airway open.
This treatment is often recommended to treat obstructive sleep apnea. This stiffens it to reduce snoring. This type of surgery tightens throat tissue in the hopes it will reduce snoring. This new treatment uses low-intensity radio waves to shrink the tissue on your soft palate to reduce snoring. Snoring can disrupt your sleep and that of your partner. But besides being annoying, it may indicate a serious health condition. Seeing your doctor and trying one or more of the above treatment options can help you get your sleep under control.
Approximately 1 in 2 people snore. If your snores are keeping you or your partner up at night, it's possible to find relief. Here's how to stop…. Having allergies or a deviated septum can limit airflow through your nose. This forces you to breathe through your mouth, increasing the likelihood of snoring. Ask your doctor about a prescription steroid spray if you have chronic congestion. To correct a structural defect in your airway, such as a deviated septum, you may need surgery.
Because snoring is such a common problem, there are numerous products available, such as nasal sprays or homeopathic therapies. However, most of the products haven't been proved effective in clinical trials. If your partner is the one who's snoring, you may sometimes feel frustrated as well as fatigued. Suggest some of the home remedies mentioned, and if those don't help quiet your partner's nocturnal noisemaking, have your partner make a doctor's appointment.
In the meantime, ear plugs or background noise, such as a white noise machine or a fan near the bed, may help mask snoring noise so you get more sleep. You're likely to first see your family doctor or a general practitioner. However, you may then be referred to a doctor who specializes in treating sleep disorders. Because appointments can be brief, and because there's often a lot to talk about, it's a good idea to arrive well-prepared.
Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment, and what to expect from your doctor. Write down any symptoms you're experiencing, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment. Ask your partner to describe what he or she hears or notices at night while you're sleeping. Or, better yet, ask your sleep partner to go with you to your appointment so that he or she can talk with your doctor about your symptoms.
Your time with your doctor may be limited, so preparing a list of questions can help you make the most of your time together. For snoring, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:. In addition to the questions that you've prepared to ask your doctor, don't hesitate to ask questions during your appointment. Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions. Being ready to answer them may reserve time to go over any points you want to spend more time on.
Your doctor may ask:. Snoring care at Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission.
This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Diagnosis To diagnose your condition, your doctor will review your signs and symptoms, and your medical history.
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