Snoring
Snoring is a sound a person makes during sleep when his or her breathing is disrupted. Usually there is some type of blockage, such as swollen tissue, in one or more of the passages from the mouth or nose to the lungs.
The sound is made by tissues inside the airway vibrating and knocking against the back of the throat. It can be soft, loud, raspy, harsh, hoarse, or fluttering.
Snoring is treated through lifestyle changes such as:
- Losing weight if necessary.
- Quitting smoking.
- Improving sleep habits, such as sleeping on the side rather than on the back.
- Avoiding alcohol and sedatives before bed.
- Using nasal strips, decongestants, and inhaled corticosteroid. These may be used if snoring is caused by congestion.
- Using oral breathing devices, which improve airflow by pushing the tongue and jaw forward.
| Author | Jeannette Curtis |
| Author | Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Tracy Landauer |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman, MATC |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Last Updated | May 25, 2007 |
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
Last Updated:
May 25, 2007
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