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Snoring

Snoring is very common and is not usually caused by anything serious. There are things you can do to help yourself if it's a problem.

Causes of snoring

Snoring is caused by things such as your tongue, mouth, throat or airways in your nose vibrating as you breathe.

It happens because these parts of your body relax and narrow when you're asleep.

You're more likely to snore if you:

  • are overweight
  • smoke
  • drink too much alcohol
  • sleep on your back

Sometimes it's caused by a condition like sleep apnoea, which is when your airways become temporarily blocked as you sleep.

How you can help relieve snoring yourself

Simple lifestyle changes can help stop or reduce snoring.

See a GP if:

  • lifestyle changes are not helping
  • your snoring is having a big impact on your or your partner's life
  • you feel sleepy during the day, or make gasping or choking noises while you sleep – you may have sleep apnoea, which can be serious if not treated

Treatment for snoring depends on the cause

Talk to a doctor about the best treatment for you.

Content provided by the NHS

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