Snoring

Snoring is triggered by things like 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 are asleep.

You are more likely to snore if you:

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

Sometimes snoring is caused by a condition called sleep apnoea, which is when your airways become temporarily blocked as you sleep. You can read more about snoring and sleep apnoea:

Local commissioning policies are in place for this condition

Please be aware that there are local commissioning policies in place for snoring. This means that certain treatments may not be available to you on the NHS.

Please click here for more information NHS Devon ‘Adult Snoring Surgery (in the absence of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea)’ Policy.

There are also clinical referral criteria for Obstructive Sleep Apnoea.

Selfcare and more information

Managing snoring

Making certain lifestyle changes may reduce your risk of developing this condition.

These include:

  • Losing weight if you’re overweight or obese.
  • Sleeping on your side.
  • Limiting how much alcohol you drink.
  • Stop smoking if you smoke.
  • Avoid using sleeping tablets and tranquillisers.

It is possible a mandibular advancement device (MAD) might help – this is a gum-shield like device that fits around your teeth, holding your jaw and tongue-forward to increase the space at the back of your throat while you sleep. A dentist should be consulted if you are considering a mandibular advancement device.

When to consider seeing your GP

You should visit your GP if you think you might have OSA.

Before seeing your GP it may be helpful to ask your partner or a friend/relative to observe you whilst you sleep, as they may be able to spot periods of breathlessness. Many people with Sleep Apnoea may not notice they have the condition so it often goes undiagnosed.

You can also fill out an Epworth Sleepiness Scale questionnaire. The final score will help your GP determine whether you may have a sleeping disorder.
To find out more about diagnosing sleep apnoea click here.

Surgery for snoring

Surgical procedures for snoring are currently not routinely commissioned in Devon. This is because surgery comes with significant risks, and evidence suggests that 58-59% of patients suffer persistent side effects following surgery, including swallowing problems, voice changes and taste disturbances.

However, patients who snore and have proven OSA who may benefit from surgical intervention as part of the treatment of the OSA.

You can click here to read the local commissioning policy for Adult Snoring.

Waiting for a specialist opinion

If you have been referred for a specialist opinion your details will be reviewed and it may be recommended that you are seen by a hospital clinician. Information to support you in choosing your preferred hospital, including waiting times can be found using the links below.

How long will I wait?

If a hospital assessment and/or treatment is clinically recommended your information will be sent to a specialist. Click below to find out more about waiting times for routine hospital assessment and/or treatment.