Snoring

At Montefiore Einstein Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, you can access exceptional care for snoring. As a global leader in otorhinolaryngology and head and neck surgery, we are an academic-based, national and international referral site for the most complex and high-risk cases. For over a century, we have been at the forefront of innovation, research and clinical care for ear, nose and throat (ENT) and head and neck conditions.

Ranked in the top 1% of all hospitals in the nation for complex specialty care according to U.S. News & World Report, Montefiore Einstein continues to make advances in the diagnosis and treatment of ENT and head and neck conditions. Our multidisciplinary team of world-renowned specialists has pioneered many of the otorhinolaryngological techniques used today and is passionate about uncovering the latest diagnostic approaches and treatments that can improve outcomes.

At Montefiore Einstein Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, you can expect compassionate, personalized, research-based treatment plans that meet the highest standards for quality and safety.

When you need snoring care, turn to our dedicated providers who will develop a highly personalized treatment plan specific to you.

When you sleep, the muscles in the back of the roof of your mouth (soft palate), tongue and throat relax. If they relax too much, they narrow or block your airway. As you breathe, the relaxation of that tissue leads to a vibration which is the snoring sound people hear.

Snoring can be a soft or loud, raspy noise. You may make gurgling, gasping or choking sounds while sleeping.

If you have a bed partner, they may notice that you sleep with your mouth open or that you are restless while sleeping. If snoring keeps you or your bed partner from getting a good night’s sleep, either or both of you may feel tired during the day.

Your physician may recommend a sleep study to discover the underlying cause(s) of your snoring and determine if you have sleep apnea. Sleep studies are tests that record what happens to your body during sleep and are conducted to find out what is causing your sleep problems. Sleep studies are done either at home with portable equipment or in a sleep lab.

You may be able to treat snoring by making changes in your lifestyle and in the way you prepare for sleep, including:

• Losing weight if you’re overweight
• Quitting smoking
• Sleeping on your side and not your back
• Using nasal strips or nasal disks to help you breathe while you sleep
• Limiting alcohol and medicines such as sedatives before you go to bed
• Using nasal corticosteroid sprays if a stuffy nose makes your snoring worse
• Using a device in your mouth during sleep that helps you breathe by pushing your tongue and jaw forward to improve airflow

Watchful waiting is a wait-and-see approach. It may be okay to try it if your snoring doesn’t disturb your bed partner or if you aren’t overly sleepy during the day. If home treatment doesn’t help your snoring, contact your physician.

Consult your physician if you stop breathing during sleep because you may have sleep apnea, a potentially serious condition that can require medical attention. Snoring is often a primary symptom of sleep apnea.