Snoring is the harsh rattling noise made by some people when they sleep. Snoring occurs when the flow of air through the back of the mouth and nose becomes partially blocked and structures such as the tongue, soft palate (the back part of the roof of the mouth) and uvula (the tag that hangs at the back of the mouth) strike each other and vibrate.

 

Causes of snoring include: nasal polyps; a bend in the nasal septum (the partition running down the middle of the nose), large tonsils or adenoids, obesity, smoking, excess alcohol. Snoring becomes increasingly common with normal aging

 

Surgical treatment of snoring is sometimes required but generally only if lifestyle issues have already been addressed e.g. obesity. Surgery can address improving nasal breathing, or reducing excessive throat tissue.