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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    Could my snoring be something more serious that I need to look into?

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    Sleep Medicine Snoring
    I've been snoring consistently for over a year now and am concerned that it could be something more serious like sleep apnea or sinus issues? Should i be worrid?
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    Sleep Health Foundation

    The Sleep Health Foundation is dedicated to raising awareness of the importance of ‘valuing sleep’ as part of a healthy lifestyle alongside regular exercise, a … View Profile

    Snoring can be a serious problem in itself. Firstly because of disruption to others and social embarrassment, but also because there is some preliminary evidence that it may cause damage to blood vessels supplying blood to the brain. In children, snoring is associated with poorer performance at school.  However most experts do not recommend treatment for snoring alone in adults, except for social reasons.  Snoring may indicate a more serious problem such as obstructive sleep apnea. Indications that your snoring might need further investigation would include consistent loud snoring, snoring which reaches a crescendo and then is followed by partial awakening, being observed to stop breathing in sleep, wakening with a feeling of choking from sleep, or snoring associated with symptoms of daytime sleepiness or excessive fatigue.  If in doubt, you should discuss with your GP.
    For more information on snoring click here.

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    Dr Sim Choroomi

    Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) Surgeon

    A reasonable proportion of the population, say 20%, snore regularly. It may fluctuate depending on sleep habit, alcohol and tiredness. 

    The concern is if the snoring is associated with sleep apnea, which is when snoring is associated cessation of breathing at night. Here oxygen levels can drop and it means the major organs are chronically  deprived at night which is serious for long term health. A sleep study will help determine if and how severe the apnea is. Treatment for snoring and sleep apnea are determined only after a thorough examination and interpretation of sleep study results.

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