What should you know about excessive snoring?

Nasal blockage from Allergic Rhinitis or Chronic Sinusitis can make mouth breathing and snoring more noticeable. Body structure, alcohol near bedtime, sedating medicines and weight can also affect airway narrowing. Obesity is associated with a higher likelihood of obstructive breathing during sleep. Obstructive Sleep Apnoea commonly presents with loud snoring, witnessed breathing pauses, gasping, morning headaches or marked daytime sleepiness. Snoring by itself does not establish that diagnosis, but repeated pauses deserve attention.

Keep a regular sleep routine, sleep on your side, and avoid alcohol close to bedtime. Treat nasal congestion only with products suitable for you; a pharmacist can help. Do not stop prescribed medicines without advice. If weight is affecting breathing or sleep, discuss a gradual plan or a Weight Management Programme with a clinician. Ask someone who shares your room whether pauses, choking or restless breathing occur.

Arrange an assessment if snoring is frequent, disruptive, or accompanied by witnessed pauses, choking, morning headaches, high blood pressure, or daytime sleepiness. Seek urgent help for severe breathlessness while awake, blue lips, confusion or inability to stay awake. A clinician may review the nose, throat, medicines and sleep pattern and decide whether sleep testing is appropriate.

Could nasal blockage or sleep apnoea be contributing? Should I have a sleep assessment? Which changes are safe with my medicines and health conditions?