Snoring

Alternative names:

loud breathing during sleep

Definition:

To breathe during sleep with hoarse or harsh sounds, caused by the vibrating of the roof of the mouth (soft palate).

Considerations:

Snorers are often not aware that they snore. Snoring is usually very normal and not an indication of an underlying disorder.

Rarely, snoring can be an indication of a serious sleep disorder (sleep apnea). People who snore and have quiet periods lasting more than 10 seconds have some degree of sleep apnea and are at risk for chronic hypoxia (a condition where there is an insufficient blood oxygen level).

Common causes:

• no known cause (most common)
• too much alcohol or sedation at bedtime
• chronic nasal congestion
• obstruction caused by enlarged adenoids and tonsils
• sleep apnea

Note: There may be other causes of snoring. This list is not all inclusive, and the causes are not presented in order of likelihood. The causes of this symptom can include unlikely diseases and medications. Furthermore, the causes may vary based on age and gender of the affected person, as well as on the specific characteristics of the symptom such as time course, aggravating factors, relieving factors, and associated complaints. Use the Symptom Analysis option to explore the possible explanations for snoring, occurring alone or in combination with other problems.