Overview

What Is Snoring?

Nearly half of all people snore at one time or another. Not all snoring is a sign of sleep apnea, but all snoring can interfere with a good night’s sleep.

Snoring occurs when your air passage is partially blocked, either because the structure of your throat is enlarged or muscles are too relaxed. As you try to breathe around this blockage, your throat vibrates and makes the snoring sound.

Whether a high-pitched whistle or a low-pitched rumble, snoring can be disruptive to good sleep habits, both for the snorer and anyone within hearing distance. If you’re losing sleep over your own or your partner’s snoring, rest assured that there are steps you can take to prevent it.

And if you’ve been told that you stop breathing during your sleep or you have other symptoms of sleep apnea, please ask your physician about having a sleep study performed by a sleep medicine specialist.