Snoring
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Try one of these related symptoms.
Snoring
Sleep noisily
Make noises when sleeping
About the Symptom
Snoring is the hoarse or harsh sound that occurs when air flows past relaxed tissues in the throat, causing the tissues to vibrate as one breathes. It can be just simple snoring (primary snoring) or be more significant due to diseases such as sleep apnea.
When to See a Doctor
Seek professional care if you experience any of the following symptoms
- Abnormal menstruation
- Impossible to walk normally
- Headache
Possible Causes
Generally, Snoring can be related to:
- Sleep Apnea Syndrome
Sleep Apnea Syndrome is a group of sleep disorders marked by repeated pauses or reductions in breathing during sleep. It may result from airway obstruction, disrupted brain signaling, or both. Common symptoms include loud snoring, gasping or choking during sleep, unrefreshing sleep, and excessive daytime fatigue. Morning headaches and concentration issues are also frequent. Untreated, it raises the risk of heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure, and kidney problems. Early diagnosis and treatment are key to reducing long-term health risks. Sleep apnea and narcolepsy can share overlapping symptoms, particularly excessive daytime sleepiness. While their causes differ, they may occur together. Addressing sleep apnea is important in narcolepsy care, as untreated apnea can worsen daytime symptoms and reduce narcolepsy treatment effectiveness.
- Obesity
Obesity (overweight) results from a combination of factors such as overeating, insufficient exercise, and genetic factors.
- Cushing's Syndrome
This condition is caused by excessive amounts of a hormone called cortisol. It may be caused by the consumption of some steroid medications or the body producing too much cortisol because of a tumor. It can present with a fatty hump between the shoulders, a rounded face, and pink or purple stretch marks on the skin. Cushing syndrome also can cause high blood pressure bone loss or diabetes.
- Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
- Sleep Disorder
- Migraine
- Sleep Deprivation
- Acromegaly
- Hypertension
- Low Testosterone
Doctor's Diagnostic Questions
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom:
- Do you snore loudly when you sleep?
- When did you first notice loud snoring?
Reviewed By:
Eric A. Gantwerker, MD, MMSC (Otolaryngology (ENT))
Pediatric Otolaryngologist at Northwell Health and Associate Professor of Otolaryngology at Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell. He holds a Master of Medical Science (MMSc) in Medical Education with a special focus on educational technology, educational research, and game-based learning from Harvard Medical School and a Master of Science in Physiology and Biophysics from Georgetown University. He has a special interest in faculty development and has been a speaker or faculty at hundreds of local, national, and international courses and conferences. He is also an active blogger and podcaster for several organizations, including the Harvard Macy Institute (HMI), Harvard Medical School CME Online, and BackTable Innovations. He has been featured in the news and print for media outlets such as USA Today, Businesswire, The Washington Post, Nature Medicine, Fox News, and KevinMD. He was also the Vice President, Medical Director of a medical video game company, Level Ex from 2018 to 2023 that utilized game technology and psychology to create interactive experiences for healthcare professionals. | He is recognized as an expert on the implementation of educational technologies and gaming with a foundation in educational theory for health professions education. He was honored to be inducted as an Associate Member of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Academy of Master Surgeon Educators and as an Associate Fellow of the Association for Medical Education in Europe (AMEE).
Rohini R, MD (Otolaryngology (ENT))
Dr. Rohini R is an ENT, Head and Neck Surgeon, with a Fellowship in Advanced Endoscopic Sinus and Skull Base Surgery and a Fellowship in Aesthetic Medicine and Lasers. Besides clinical practice and working with Ubie, she is actively training and mentoring medical students and residents. She has functioned in various work settings - teaching hospitals, private and free health centers, and worked with patients from all socioeconomic backgrounds due to her experience in free hospitals and volunteering in India and Singapore.
Yoshinori Abe, MD (Internal Medicine)
Dr. Abe graduated from The University of Tokyo School of Medicine in 2015. He completed his residency at the Tokyo Metropolitan Health and Longevity Medical Center. He co-founded Ubie, Inc. in May 2017, where he currently serves as CEO & product owner at Ubie. Since December 2019, he has been a member of the Special Committee for Activation of Research in Emergency AI of the Japanese Association for Acute Medicine. | | Dr. Abe has been elected in the 2020 Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia Healthcare & Science category.
Content updated on Feb 6, 2025
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
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FAQs
Q.
Mouth Taping for Snoring: A Woman’s 40+ Medical Guide & Next Steps
A.
Mouth taping may modestly reduce mild, mouth-breathing snoring in women over 40 with clear nasal passages, but it is not a cure and does not treat obstructive sleep apnea; avoid it if you have nasal blockage, wake gasping, notice breathing pauses, severe fatigue, heart or lung disease, or use alcohol or sedatives before bed. There are several factors to consider. See below for a practical next-step plan, safer and more proven options like side sleeping, nasal care, weight management, and oral appliances, plus when to seek medical evaluation or a sleep study and how postmenopausal hormonal shifts may contribute.
References:
* Kairat B, Ong P, Tang SY, Lim PV. Effect of Mouth Taping on Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Randomized Controlled Study. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Dec 21;20(1):153. doi: 10.3390/ijerph20010153. PMID: 36613390; PMCID: PMC9819779.
* Lee Y, Lee Y, Lee K, Chung JH, Kim DK, Sung JK. Oral vs. Nasal Breathing on Facial Development and Health: A Review. J Clin Pediatr Dent. 2022;46(2):167-173. doi: 10.17796/1053-4628-46.2.167. PMID: 35050868.
* Punjabi N. Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Women: A Review. Sleep Med Clin. 2020 Jun;15(2):225-231. doi: 10.1016/j.jsmc.2020.02.007. Epub 2020 Apr 21. PMID: 32414545.
* Strohl KP, Punjabi NM. Consequences of Untreated Sleep Apnea. Sleep Med Clin. 2022 Sep;17(3):361-368. doi: 10.1016/j.jsmc.2022.05.003. PMID: 36058525.
* Patil SP, et al. Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Clinical Practice Guideline Summary of the 2022 Clinical Practice Guideline from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. J Clin Sleep Med. 2022 Nov 1;18(11):2579-2586. doi: 10.5664/jcsm.10266. PMID: 36306509.
Q.
UARS in Women 40-50: Symptoms, Home Relief & Vital Next Steps
A.
UARS in women 40 to 50 is common yet often overlooked, with patterns like light, fragmented sleep, frequent awakenings, mild snoring or teeth grinding, morning headaches, jaw or facial pain, brain fog, mood shifts, and persistent fatigue despite time in bed; there are several factors to consider, so see below for key differences from sleep apnea and nuances that can change your next steps. At home, support nasal breathing, sleep on your side or with slight head elevation, do tongue and mouth exercises, maintain a healthy weight, limit alcohol and sedatives, reduce stress, and track symptoms; if they persist, ask about UARS, request a sleep study that measures RERAs, and discuss CPAP or a custom oral appliance, seeking urgent care for chest pain or severe shortness of breath. Complete guidance is below.
References:
* Guilleminault C, Kirisoglu C, Shiomi T. Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome in Women: A Frequent But Overlooked Condition. J Clin Sleep Med. 2006 Apr 15;2(2):121-7. PMID: 17561875.
* Camara-Lemarroy CR, Rodriguez-Gutierrez R, Fernandez-Ruiz S, Torre-Bouscoulet L, Salcedo-Alvarez RA. Upper airway resistance syndrome: a critical update. Curr Opin Pulm Med. 2018 Nov;24(6):533-539. doi: 10.1097/MCP.0000000000000512. PMID: 29771143.
* Rains JC, Rains GD. Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome: An Overview. Sleep Med Clin. 2018 Mar;13(1):31-37. doi: 10.1016/j.jsmc.2017.10.003. Epub 2018 Jan 10. PMID: 29502905.
* Sancrant AB, Thimsen DA, Thimsen LM. Non-CPAP treatments for sleep apnea and UARS: an overview. Minerva Stomatol. 2019 Feb;68(1):35-43. doi: 10.23736/S0026-4970.18.04231-1. Epub 2018 Nov 13. PMID: 30864380.
* Lye HZ, O'Donoghue FJ, Andrusaite A, Lau KK, Rochford PD. Upper airway resistance syndrome (UARS) and its relationship to craniofacial morphology and gender. J Sleep Res. 2019 Jun;28(3):e12817. doi: 10.1111/jsr.12817. Epub 2019 May 3. PMID: 31037748.
Q.
Sleep Apnea Symptoms: 7 Warning Signs Women 65+ Often Miss
A.
Seven often-missed warning signs of sleep apnea in women 65 and older include persistent daytime fatigue, worsening snoring, morning headaches or dry mouth, mood changes or anxiety, memory problems or trouble concentrating, waking short of breath or with a racing heart, and high blood pressure that is hard to control. These symptoms can be subtle and mistaken for normal aging, yet untreated sleep apnea can harm heart and brain health. There are several factors to consider. See below for complete guidance on what these signs mean, when to talk to a doctor, and how a sleep study or symptom check can guide your next steps.
References:
* Valipour A, et al. Sex Differences in Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Front Physiol. 2017 Mar 21;8:159. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2017.00159. PMID: 28386127; PMCID: PMC5359345.
* Reddy SC, et al. Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Women: More Challenging to Diagnose? J Clin Sleep Med. 2013 Aug 15;9(8):835-8. doi: 10.5664/jcsm.2882. PMID: 23946700; PMCID: PMC3723654.
* Punjabi NM. Sleep apnea in women. J Thorac Dis. 2013 Feb;5(1):110-21. doi: 10.3978/j.issn.2072-1439.2013.01.03. PMID: 23390449; PMCID: PMC3586861.
* Young T, et al. Sex Differences in Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, and Clinical Implications. Chest. 2016 Oct;150(4):948-958. doi: 10.1016/j.chest.2016.05.004. Epub 2016 May 19. PMID: 27209378.
* Billings ME, et al. Symptoms of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Women. Curr Opin Pulm Med. 2008 Nov;14(6):534-8. doi: 10.1097/MCP.0b013e328312061e. PMID: 18838843.
Q.
How to stop snoring while sleeping?
A.
Most snoring improves with simple changes like losing weight, sleeping on your side, avoiding alcohol and sedatives at night, clearing nasal congestion, and elevating the head of the bed; a dentist-fitted oral appliance can help, and CPAP is the gold standard if sleep apnea is diagnosed, with surgery reserved for structural causes. Seek medical evaluation promptly if snoring is loud and frequent or there are breathing pauses, gasping, morning headaches, or daytime sleepiness, since these can signal obstructive sleep apnea and affect whether you need a dental device, CPAP, or other treatment. There are several factors to consider; see below for important details that can guide your next steps.
References:
Hoekema A, Stegenga B, & de Bont LG. (2004). Efficacy and safety of mandibular advancement devices… Sleep Med Rev, 15465321.
Oksenberg A, Arons E, Radwan H, & Pillar G. (1997). The effect of sleep posture on snoring. Chest, 9307839.
Peppard PE, Young T, Palta M, & Dempsey J. (2000). Longitudinal association between sleep-disordered breathin… Am J Epidemiol, 10953064.
Q.
How to stop snoring?
A.
To stop snoring, start with weight loss, side sleeping, avoiding late alcohol and sedatives, quitting smoking, treating nasal congestion, and doing daily throat exercises; if snoring persists, dentist-fitted oral appliances can help, CPAP is best for moderate to severe sleep apnea, and surgery is a later option. There are several factors to consider, and red flags like loud nightly snoring, witnessed pauses or gasping, daytime sleepiness, or heart and blood pressure issues should prompt medical evaluation. See the complete guidance below for key details that can change the best next step for you.
References:
Guimarães KC, Drager LF, Genta PR, Marcondes BF, & Lorenzi-Filho G. (2009). Effects of oropharyngeal exercises on snoring and apnoea in patients with moderate… Chest, 19349342.
Marklund M, Stenlund H, & Franklin KA. (2004). Mandibular advancement device versus nasal continuous positive airway pressure for mild to moderate… Eur Respir J, 14739206.
Ramar K, Dort LC, & et al. (2015). Clinical practice guideline for the treatment of snoring with oral appliance therapy: an… Sleep, 25910631.
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Link to full study:
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.08.29.24312810v1References
Stuck BA, Hofauer B. The Diagnosis and Treatment of Snoring in Adults. Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2019 Nov 29;116(48):817-824. doi: 10.3238/arztebl.2019.0817. PMID: 31888795; PMCID: PMC6947688.
https://www.aerzteblatt.de/int/archive/article/211022Chawla J, Waters KA. Snoring in children. J Paediatr Child Health. 2015 Sep;51(9):847-50; quiz 850-1. doi: 10.1111/jpc.12976. PMID: 26333074.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jpc.12976Parker RJ, Hardinge M, Jeffries C. Snoring. BMJ. 2005 Nov 5;331(7524):1063. doi: 10.1136/bmj.331.7524.1063. PMID: 16269493; PMCID: PMC1283189.
https://www.bmj.com/content/331/7524/1063Hoffstein V. Snoring. Chest. 1996 Jan;109(1):201-22. doi: 10.1378/chest.109.1.201. PMID: 8549187.
https://journal.chestnet.org/article/S0012-3692(15)45554-0/fulltextSnoring - NHS
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/snoring/