Snoring concerns? When to seek care

If you’re experiencing persistent snoring, or have been told you snore frequently, it’s recommended to see a doctor to find the underlying cause and appropriate treatment options. Some signs that you should see a doctor for snoring concerns include: 

• Loud, persistent snoring that affects your sleep or the sleep of your partner. 
• Breathing pauses during sleep. 
• Excessive daytime sleepiness or fatigue. 
• Startling, gasping or choking during sleep. 
• Morning headache. 
• Difficulty concentrating or memory problems. 
• Sore throat or dry mouth upon waking. 
• Chest pain during sleep.

Snoring can be caused by various factors such as obesity, alcohol consumption, sleep position, nose congestion or obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).  OSA is a sleep disorder in which the airway becomes blocked during sleep, causing breathing pauses and other complications. If left untreated, OSA can lead to serious health problems such as high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke.  

An evaluation for snoring and/or sleep apnea will include health history review, physical exam and possibly recommendation for a sleep study to diagnose the underlying cause of your snoring. Treatment options may include lifestyle changes such as weight loss and avoiding alcohol or medical devices such as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine or a dental appliance. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to correct a structural abnormality.  Early intervention can prevent complications and improve your quality of life. 

Prevea has an experienced team of board-certified ENT physicians and specially trained advanced practice providers who diagnose and treat conditions affecting the ears, nose, sinuses, mouth, throat, head and neck for both adults and children.