Font Size
A
A
A


Snoring

Snoring Overview

Snoring is the noise produced during sleep by vibrations of the soft tissues at the back of your nose and throat. The noise is created by turbulent flow of air through narrowed air passages. In general and in most cases, snoring has no medical significance unless it keeps you or others from sleeping. However, a more serious problem related to snoring can occur when those same soft tissues block the air passages at the back of the throat while you are sleeping. This interferes with the ability to breathe. This condition is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and it can directly affect your health.



Next: Snoring Causes »

Printer-Friendly Format  |  Email to a Friend


Sleep Disorders

Get tips for better sleep.

Are You Depressed? Take the Quiz


Read What Your Physician is Reading on eMedicine

Snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Surgery »

Snoring, excessive daytime somnolence, restless sleep, and apnea are manifestations of sleep-disordered breathing, which has plagued society for centuries.

Read More on eMedicine »

Medical Dictionary