This informational guide, part of POPSUGAR's Condition Center, lays out the realities of this health concern: what it is, what it can look like, and strategies that medical experts say are proven to help. You should always consult your doctor regarding matters pertaining to your health and before starting any course of medical treatment.
Snoring is a pretty common bedtime habit. In fact, an estimated 45 percent of adults snore occasionally, while 25 percent snore regularly, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. It's this difference in frequency that typically separates harmless snoring from the kind worth paying attention to. Snoring every now and then when a cold or flu comes on, or after you've been drinking, is usually nothing to worry about. But loud, frequent snoring can actually be a sign of a sleep disorder, per the Cleveland Clinic. The good news is that there are ways to treat snoring, so keep reading to find relief.
The sound snoring makes is caused by the tissues in your throat vibrating as you breathe. People who snore often wake themselves up. Most of the time, it's harmless, like only snoring for one or two nights in a row because you're sick. But if it's happening more than three or more times per week or your partner hears you stop breathing momentarily, it can also be a symptom of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which is common among older adults, according to Susan Redline, MD, physician at the division of sleep and circadian disorders at Brigham and Women's Hospital. OSA can also lead to other health problems, including heart disease and high blood pressure, says Nicole Eichelberger, a BSM-certified sleep expert who specializes in insomnia, apnea, and circadian-rhythm disorders and Mattressive consultant.
If your snoring is accompanied by any of the following symptoms, it may be a sign of OSA and an indication that you should see a doctor, according to the Mayo Clinic:
Some of the most common causes of snoring include:
If the snoring is bothersome, it happens more than three times a week, or you experience daytime drowsiness or lack of focus or mental sharpness, it could be a symptom of a more serious health condition, like OSA, and you should reach out to your doctor so they can diagnose your particular situation and find a treatment option that works best for you.
"Snoring can be challenging to treat, particularly because it happens when you're unconscious and not in control of your bodily functions," Dr. Redline says. But there are strategies that can help. Sleep studies, for example, are often used to better understand the etiology of the snoring. Other common treatments and tips recommended by Eichelberger include: