What is snoring?
Snoring is a sound produced during sleep when airflow becomes turbulent as it passes through the upper airway. The vibration of surrounding tissues creates the characteristic noise.
What is the cause of snoring?
Snoring usually has more than one contributing factor. Common causes include:
- Nasal obstruction
- Enlarged tonsils
- Excess or relaxed tissue in the soft palate
- A relatively large tongue
- Sedative medications
- Alcohol
- Increased body weight
What can be done about snoring?
Management of snoring generally starts with identifying and treating any nasal blockage, as this can play a significant role. If snoring persists, further assessment is often focused on the soft palate and other areas of the airway that may be contributing.
Does soft palate surgery work?
In carefully selected patients, surgery on the soft palate can be very effective in reducing snoring. It is not suitable for everyone, but when the anatomy is appropriate, outcomes are often favourable. Assessment by an ENT surgeon like Dr Phillips is required to determine whether this type of procedure is likely to be beneficial.