Snoring is common and almost half of adults in the United States snore occasionally. Snoring is caused when air flows past relaxed tissues in the throat, causing the tissues to vibrate. This creates the hoarse or harsh sounds of snoring. A variety of factors can lead to snoring, such as mouth anatomy, alcohol consumption, nasal problems and sleep apnea. Snoring can occur in the absence or the presence of sleep apnea. Click here to learn more about sleep apnea. Testing is important in that only by testing, is it possible to know for sure.
Treatment for Snoring
Lifestyle changes, such as losing weight, avoiding alcohol close to bedtime and changing sleeping positions are common recommendations to reduce snoring. If lifestyle changes don't eliminate snoring, other options, including Nasal CPAP, a mouthpiece (called an oral appliance) and various surgical procedures, may be able to reduce or eliminate snoring. If you snore, you should seek the expertise of an otolaryngologist to have you snoring properly diagnosed and treated.
Snoring In Children
Snoring in a child can be a sign of issues with the child's adenoids, tonsils or other anatomical issues. Surgical procedures such as adenoidectomy and/or tonsillectomy may be necessary to restore the child's health. An otolaryngologist can examine a child for these conditions and make treatment plans on a case by case basis.
Over-the-Counter Treatments, Do They Work?
There are many over-the-counter devices that claim to alleviate snoring. Although many individuals do not experience relief from most of these devices, there are a few that may prove beneficial. The reason many of these products do not work is because they do not address the specific cause of the snoring in the individual. Only a trained otolaryngologist can determine this cause. If you have questions about an over-the-counter treatment or device, please discuss it with an otolaryngologist.
