snoring

Last reviewed 01/2018

  • simple snoring is common in Britain
  • it has a prevalence of up to 40% (1)
  • snoring occurs when there is an obstruction to the free flow of air through the passages at the back of the mouth and nose (1)
    • this area where the tongue and upper throat meet the soft palate and uvula is the collapsible part of the airway.
    • snoring occurs when these come to contact with each other during breathing.
  • excessive snoring may be secondary to:
    • conditions causing an encroachment on the pharynx
    • conditions causing nasal obstruction
  • excessive snoring may be associated with sleep apnoea. The management of conditions associated with excessive snoring and sleep apnoea is described in the sleep apnoea section.

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