Whether it’s the person doing it, or the person exposed to it, snoring is a common complaint. However, that doesn’t mean it should be disregarded – especially if it’s a relatively new occurrence. In fact, snoring could actually be a sign of an underlying health problem, which is why it’s important to get a diagnosis for nose problems, and treatments.
In this post, our Harley Street ENT doctor will talk through the causes of snoring, offer heavy snoring treatment suggestions and share some lifestyle advice, helping to put snoring problems to bed.
The causes of snoring
In some cases, snoring can be a one-off or short-term issue caused by drinking alcohol before bedtime, or a seasonal allergy. In other cases, however, it can indicate nasal problems, poor muscle tone in the mouth, ‘bulky’ tissue in the throat or a long soft palate. It can also signal a serious health problem, sleep apnoea, which is when your breathing stop-starts during sleep. It can raise your blood pressure, cause depression, and even increase your chances of having a stroke. If you’re unsure about what’s making you snore, your ENT doctor may be able to pinpoint a cause and even offer anti-snoring treatment.
Signs of a problem
Snoring can often be harmless but could be an indication of a health concern that needs attention. It can also be incredibly disruptive to the snorer’s sleep, causing sleepiness, difficulty concentrating, headaches, restlessness and a sore throat. If you, or your partner, notice these symptoms, it’s worth seeing our ENT doctor, Jon Hughes, for anti-snoring treatment.
Treatments you could try
Nose problems and treatments are our specialities. With snoring, there are at-home solutions and in-practice solutions which, together, could help control your snoring. From maintaining a healthy weight and reducing alcohol intake, to considering procedures that can stiffen your palate or decrease throat tissues, our ENT doctor can help advise you on the heavy snoring treatment that best suits your situation.
Other options
There are many different oral appliances that could help with your snoring, but they won’t ‘solve the problem’ or target the cause – they can only reduce the amount you may snore. Some of our patients also find it helpful to switch sleeping positions, as you may be more likely to snore when lying on your back.
Talk to us
As ENT specialists in London’s Harley Street, we can help diagnose the cause of your snoring and offer heavy snoring treatments that could manage the condition and benefit your sleep and rest. To get in touch with us, simply visit our contact page, where you’ll find all the information you need to arrange a consultation for anti-snoring treatment.