Snoring Specialist

What causes snoring?

Snoring occurs when the muscles in your throat relax when you sleep, and your tongue and throat tissue can vibrate, creating the loud breathing and snorting noises. 

While people of all ages and genders snore, it’s most common in overweight male adults. Some of the factors that contribute to snoring include:

• Aging
• Having a deviated septum or nasal polyps
• Sleeping on your back
• Consuming alcohol before bed
• Being overweight
  
  

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is another condition that causes snoring. OSA is a sleep disorder that occurs when the soft tissue in the back of your mouth and throat relaxes while you sleep and descends to block your airways. As a result, you snore and gasp for air, waking up 5-30 times an hour. 

When should I talk to a doctor about snoring?

You should talk to one of the board-certified sleep specialists at Academy Diagnostics if your snoring is interfering with your sleep or if you have symptoms of poor sleep. For example, some of the signs of disturbed sleep include:

• Excessive daytime fatigue
• Waking up with headaches or dry mouth
• Weight gain
• Not feeling refreshed when you wake up
• Waking up during the night
• Reduced attention, concentration, or memory
• Observed pauses in your breathing while you sleep
  
  

If any of these symptoms sound familiar or if your partner or other family members complain about your snoring, make an appointment today.

How is the cause of snoring diagnosed?

Academy Diagnostics provides expert exams and testing to identify the cause of your snoring. During your exam, they review your medical history, lifestyle, and general health and check for physical abnormalities that could contribute to your snoring. 

Your physician might order sleep studies such as polysomnograms and multiple sleep latency tests to diagnose conditions like OSA. The team offers sleep studies in their clinics as well as at-home options. Ask your doctor which type of sleep study is right for you.

What are the available treatments for snoring?

Treatment for snoring depends on the condition causing it. Often, lifestyle changes such as losing weight, reducing alcohol intake, and changing your sleeping position can help. 

If you have OSA, your physician might recommend continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment or an oral appliance to help keep your airway open. 

Call Academy Diagnostics or make an appointment online today to find out what’s causing your snoring and get customized treatment to improve your quality of sleep.