Exhale snoring: what to know

When the throat, soft palate, tongue or nasal passages become partly narrowed during sleep, outgoing air can make nearby tissues vibrate. A blocked nose from Allergic Rhinitis or Chronic Sinusitis may change the sound. Alcohol, sleeping position, some medicines and body-weight changes can also affect airway narrowing. Snoring alone does not establish obstructive sleep apnoea, but pauses in breathing, gasping, restless sleep, morning headaches or marked daytime sleepiness deserve assessment.

Ask a sleep partner to describe pauses, choking sounds and whether the snoring varies by position. Side sleeping, treating nasal congestion as advised, avoiding alcohol close to bedtime, and keeping a regular sleep schedule may reduce obstruction for some people. Do not start or stop medicines based on snoring alone. If weight is contributing, discuss a Weight Management Programme that fits your health and circumstances.

Arrange a clinical review when snoring is loud and frequent, disrupts sleep, or occurs with witnessed breathing pauses, gasping, morning headaches or daytime sleepiness. Seek urgent help for severe breathing difficulty while awake, blue lips, chest pain or confusion. A clinician may assess the nose, throat, medicines and sleep pattern, and may arrange testing for Obstructive Sleep Apnoea.

Ask whether nasal treatment, a sleep assessment or an examination for airway narrowing is appropriate. Bring a list of medicines and describe your usual sleep position, congestion and daytime alertness.