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.

Reference:

• (1) Robert J Parker, et al. Snoring. BMJ  2005;331:1063
• (2) American Academy of Otolaryngology −Head and Neck Surgery. Snoring. 2008