Snoring happens when airflow through the nose and back of the throat is partly blocked and the soft palate and uvula vibrate. Contributing factors include poor muscle tone in the tongue and throat, bulky throat tissue, a long uvula or soft palate, and a blocked nasal airway from congestion, allergies, or a deviated septum.

Sleep

Snoring Issues

Q: How common is snoring?

Nearly half of adults snore at least occasionally, and about a quarter snore habitually. Snoring alone usually does not cause medical harm, but it can lead to poor sleep, daytime tiredness, embarrassment, and strained relationships.

Q: Is snoring a sign of sleep apnea?

It can be. Sleep apnea is a serious disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops during sleep, and untreated it can contribute to high blood pressure and other cardiovascular disease, memory problems, erectile dysfunction, and headaches. Only a sleep test can tell simple snoring from sleep apnea.

Q: How is snoring treated?

Treatment depends on the cause, so sleep apnea is ruled out first with a sleep test. Options include everyday changes (weight, side sleeping, avoiding alcohol before bed, treating nasal congestion), a custom oral appliance fitted by a dental sleep specialist, surgery to open a blocked nose such as septoplasty or turbinate reduction, and in-office palate procedures such as injection snoreplasty or uvulectomy for socially disruptive snoring. If a sleep test shows sleep apnea, treatment shifts to CPAP or an alternative such as Inspire therapy.

Q: When should I see a specialist about snoring?

See a sleep specialist if you snore loudly most nights, if a partner notices pauses or gasping in your breathing, or if you are sleepy or unrefreshed during the day. An evaluation can identify whether nasal obstruction, palate vibration, or sleep apnea is the cause and guide treatment.

March 26, 2018 | Latif M. Dharamsi, MD | Sleep & Snoring | Reviewed Sep 2026

Quick answer: Snoring is the sound of the soft palate and uvula vibrating when airflow through the nose and throat is partly blocked. Nearly half of adults snore occasionally and about a quarter snore habitually. Snoring by itself is usually harmless, but it can be a sign of obstructive sleep apnea, a serious disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops during sleep. If you snore loudly most nights, a partner notices pauses in your breathing, or you are sleepy during the day, see a sleep specialist; only a sleep test can tell the two apart.

How Common Is Snoring?

Snoring is a very common problem: nearly half of adults snore at least occasionally, and about a quarter snore habitually (ENT Health). Although snoring alone typically does not cause any significant medical problems, it may lead to poor sleep, daytime tiredness, embarrassment, and strained relationships.

What Causes Snoring?

Snoring sounds are caused when there is an obstruction to the free flow of air through the nasal cavity and back of the throat. People who snore may suffer from poor muscle tone in the tongue and throat, excessive bulkiness of throat tissue, a long uvula, or obstructed nasal airways. Typically, the soft palate and uvula vibrate due to this obstruction and snoring results.

Is Snoring a Sign of Sleep Apnea?

Snoring may also be a symptom of sleep apnea, a serious sleep disorder that the American Academy of Sleep Medicine estimates affects roughly 30 million U.S. adults, most of them undiagnosed; a Lancet Respiratory Medicine analysis estimated nearly 1 billion adults worldwide have obstructive sleep apnea. If left untreated, sleep apnea can cause high blood pressure and other cardiovascular disease, memory and concentration problems, erectile dysfunction, and morning headaches.

How Is Snoring Treated?

Treatment depends on what is causing the snoring, so the first step is finding out whether sleep apnea is part of the picture. If it might be, a home sleep test comes first: procedures aimed at snoring do not treat sleep apnea, and quieting the snoring can hide it.

Everyday changes. Losing excess weight, sleeping on your side rather than your back, avoiding alcohol and sedatives within about 3 hours of bedtime, and treating nasal congestion or allergies reduce snoring for many patients.
Oral appliances. A custom mouthpiece holds the lower jaw slightly forward so the airway stays open. The AASM and AADSM oral appliance guideline recommends these for adults with primary snoring who want treatment. We refer patients to a dental sleep specialist for fitting.
Opening the nose. When a deviated septum, enlarged turbinates, or a collapsing nasal valve restricts airflow, correcting it can quiet snoring and makes other treatments easier to tolerate.
In-office palate procedures. Injection snoreplasty stiffens the soft palate so it vibrates less. Expect a sore throat for up to a week, with the full result at 6 to 8 weeks. Radiofrequency palate treatment and uvulectomy are other options for socially disruptive snoring once sleep apnea has been ruled out.
If you have sleep apnea. CPAP is the most effective treatment, and alternatives exist for patients who cannot tolerate it, including oral appliances, Inspire therapy, and nasal surgery that makes CPAP easier to use.

When Should I See a Specialist About Snoring?

See an ENT or sleep specialist if you snore loudly most nights, if a partner notices pauses or gasping in your breathing, or if you are sleepy or unrefreshed during the day. Only a sleep test can tell simple snoring from sleep apnea (AASM diagnostic guideline). The evaluation sorts out whether nasal obstruction, the palate, or sleep apnea is driving the noise, which is what decides the treatment.

This article is for educational purposes only and does not replace an in-person evaluation. Every patient is unique. Schedule a consultation to discuss your specific symptoms and treatment options.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Raymond Brown · Last updated September 17, 2026

Latif M. Dharamsi, MD

Dr. Dharamsi is a board-certified ENT specialist who treats a wide range of conditions, including nasal obstruction, chronic sinus infections, sleep apnea, and chronic ear conditions. He emphasizes minimally invasive treatments. He was honored by his peers as a 2024 and 2025 Austin Monthly Top Doctor.

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