Is My Snoring Dangerous or Just Annoying?

This information has been reviewed and approved by Sheila Tsai, MD, (February 2019).

Is My Snoring Dangerous or Just Annoying?

Snoring — sound made when tissues from the nose to the throat vibrate during sleep

Causes

• Tonsils
• Muscle relaxants
• Nasal polyps
• Obstructive sleep apnea
• Obesity of the neck
• Deviated septum
• Smoking before bed
• Drinking alcohol before bed
• Allergy or cold inflammation

Snore Less

• Don't sleep on your back
• Lose weight
• Limit alcohol and smoking
• Diagnosis and treatment
• Limit opiates, barbiturates and anxiety medications

When is Snoring Dangerous?

Loud snoring can be a serious sleep disorder.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a blockage that stops breathing and disturbs sleep.

OSA Symptoms and Effects on Health

• Loud, disruptive snoring
• Pauses in breathing during sleep
• Choking or gasping awake from sleep
• Excessive daytime sleepiness
• Difficulty sleeping
• Problems with attention or memory
• Irritability or depression
• Morning headaches
• High blood pressure

If any of these symptoms occur with loud snoring, speak to your doctor for further evaluation.

Sleep Studies

In a Sleep Lab

• Records snoring, pauses in breathing, oxygen desaturations and muscle movement
• Identifies sleep stages, body position, blood oxygen levels, respiratory events, muscle tone, heart rate, eye movement, brain waves, amount of snoring and general sleep behavior

• Records oxygen saturation, heart rate, airflow, chest and abdomen movement, time snoring and sleep position

50 to 70 million people have a sleep disorder

Half of Americans report snoring

50 percent of loud snorers have obstructive sleep apnea

~31% of men have obstructive sleep apnea

~21% of women have obstructive sleep apnea