Snoring is where you make a noticeable sound when you breathe during sleep. The sound is caused by soft tissue at the back of your mouth, nose or throat vibrating. The exact sound you make will depend on the type of soft tissue that is vibrating.
For example, if the soft tissue at the back of your nose vibrates when you snore, it is likely that you will produce a pinched nasal sound that is not particularly loud. Whereas if the tissues at the top of your mouth (the soft palate) and the back of your throat (the uvula) vibrate, you will produce a louder, more guttural ("throaty") sound.
People tend to snore the most when they are in the deepest stages of sleep, around 90 minutes after falling asleep.
When to seek medical advice
Visit your GP if you are experiencing symptoms of excessive daytime sleepiness because it may be caused by your snoring affecting your breathing while you are sleeping.
Common signs of excessive daytime sleepiness are when you find yourself falling asleep in certain situations during the day such as:
- watching TV
- sitting in a meeting
- as a passenger in a car
You can also visit your GP if you suspect that a persistent lack of sleep is affecting your day-to-day activities and causing symptoms such as:
- poor memory and concentration
- headaches (particularly in the morning)
- irritability and a short temper
- anxiety
- depression
- lack of interest in sex
Also visit your GP if your snoring is causing relationship problems with your partner, such as keeping them awake at night or waking them up.
It is also recommended that you contact your GP if your child snores. Snoring in children is often caused by an underlying problem with their airways, such as enlarged tonsils, which may require further investigation and treatment.
