When Snoring is a Cause for Concern

CLEVELAND - Have you been told you snore while you’re sleeping? 

It’s a common problem that affects millions of people around the world. 

But sometimes it can be a sign of something more serious.

“Lots of people snore, and that's just the sound of air moving through your airway whenever your airway is relaxed and you're asleep. And that can be a normal thing, just a sound. But other times it can be a sign of something deeper. Maybe it's a sign that there may be a blockage or an obstruction, something that could be called sleep apnea,” explained Brian Chen, MD, sleep specialist at Cleveland Clinic. 

Dr. Chen said sleep apnea happens when a person stops breathing while they’re sleeping, which can lead to long-term health issues or even death. 

Fortunately, there are many treatment options available.

Besides sleep apnea, other causes of snoring can include being sick, having a deviated septum, allergies and even your sleep position. 

Dr. Chen said in some cases, snoring can be remedied with a mouth guard, nasal strips, allergy medicine, or lifestyle changes – like working out, quitting smoking and reducing your alcohol intake. 

“Also, the position of your body. If you're cramped up, if you're not in a good neck position, you can have more blockage in the airway as well, and that can lead to snoring. Sleeping on your side also helps you prevent some of that noise and open up your airway a little bit, just because there's less compression, less gravity that can collapse down on our airway when we're sleeping on our side,” he noted.

Dr. Chen said there are situations where medical intervention may be necessary. 

If you’re ever unsure, it’s best to let your physician know so they can help find a solution.