Snoring

Overview

Mayo Clinic has helped thousands of patients reduce their snoring, which often results in less-disrupted sleep and a better quality of life for their sleep partners. In the process, Mayo has also diagnosed and treated many patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Patients treated for snoring at Mayo Clinic benefit from the combined expertise of top specialists working together across fields as varied as sleep medicine, otorhinolaryngology (ear, nose and throat medicine), orthodontics, oral surgery, and nursing, depending on the severity and suspected cause.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis involves a full medical history and a description of the snoring by someone who has witnessed it. Patients are usually unaware that they snore, though they may wake with a dry mouth or irritated throat. If a patient also experiences frequent arousals from sleep, excessive daytime sleepiness, or insomnia, a polysomnogram will be conducted to check for OSA or other sleep disorders. Mayo Clinic operates state-of-the-art sleep centers at all three sites, fully accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine; in fact, Mayo Clinic in Rochester has one of the largest sleep diagnostic facilities in the United States.

Treatment Options

Treatment options depend on the cause and severity of the snoring, and on the individual's preference. Snoring responds to many of the same treatments as OSA. At Mayo Clinic, a team of doctors from several specialties may collaborate to develop the best treatment plan, especially if the snoring is severe and due to anatomical abnormalities.

About Snoring

Snoring is caused by air flowing past relaxed tissues in a narrowed throat, which creates sound as the tissues vibrate.

Snoring may occur on its own (primary snoring) or may indicate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a more serious sleep disorder.

As in adults, snoring in children may indicate OSA. Snoring and OSA may also be risk factors for behavioral problems in childhood. Children often snore due to nose or throat problems, such as enlarged tonsils. Treatment is similar to that for pediatric OSA.

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