Snoring Clinic

Snoring

Definition: A rough rattling noise made on inspiration during sleep by vibration of the soft palate (the back of the roof of the mouth) and the uvula (the prominent structure dangling down at the back of the mouth).

Snoring is caused when the soft palate (the back of the roof of the mouth) and other tissue in the mouth, nose and throat, vibrates. The vibration occurs when the air you breathe doesn't flow smoothly through the air passages. Snoring can occur when you are breathing in or out.
 
When you sleep your muscles in your mouth, throat and nose relax so are more likely to vibrate. You don't snore when you are awake because the tissues aren't relaxed enough to cause any vibration. There are many factors that can limit airflow through your passages and cause snoring.
 
If you are overweight you are more likely to snore. Extra fat deposited around the neck and throat can cause the surrounding tissues to sag, so it is likely to stop the air flowing smoothly though, causing the vibration. This is more of a problem for men, who are more likely to store extra fat around the neck.

Age can also be a factor. As you get older your throat muscles become weaker. This makes them vibrate more easily when you sleep.
Drinking alcohol or taking drugs such as sleeping pills relaxes the muscles in your body. This means that the tissue in your throat, mouth and nose are more likely to stop air flowing smoothly through. It also makes them more likely to vibrate.

Sleeping on your back makes your tongue fall backwards towards your throat. This can narrow your airway and partly block the airflow.
Colds and allergies can also block the airflow through the nasal passage. This will also encourage you to breathe through your mouth, where there is more tissue that will vibrate. Smoking can also inflame (swell) and partially block the airways.
 
Other physical factors that can cause a blockage in the mouth and nose, and narrow your airway are:

- a low-set or thick soft palate,
- enlarged tonsils,
- a long uvula (the piece of skin that hangs between your tonsils).
- a damaged or misshapen nose, which limits airflow.

Please call us for information about our new snoring clinic.

At our Medical Centre an experienced ENT Consultant can address your concerns and treat your snoring problem. The treatment:

- Under local anaesthesia.
- Last 5-10 minutes.
- Almost painless.
- Patient can go home shortly after the procedure.
- The procedures may need to be repeated.
- Success rate between 50-70%.