Conditions · FAQ
What causes snoring during sleep?
Short answer
Snoring happens when air moves through a narrowed airway and makes soft tissue vibrate during sleep. Nasal congestion, sleep position, alcohol, and the shape of your mouth or throat can play a role. Snoring alone does not prove you have sleep apnea, but certain symptoms need a medical review.
Snoring is the sound made when soft tissue in your upper airway vibrates as you breathe during sleep. Your throat muscles relax while you sleep. If the space for air becomes narrow, nearby tissue can vibrate and make noise. The sound may come from areas near your soft palate, tongue, or throat.
Several things can contribute. These include a stuffy nose, enlarged tonsils, the shape of your jaw, and extra tissue around your neck. Sleeping on your back or drinking alcohol near bedtime may also make the airway more likely to narrow. More than one factor can be involved.
Snoring is not always a sign of a serious problem. Still, its loudness alone cannot show whether breathing is safe during sleep. Tell a physician if someone notices breathing pauses, choking, or gasping. Also mention daytime sleepiness or morning headaches. A physician licensed in your state can review these details and decide whether you need a sleep evaluation.
Sources
Written by the Verra clinical team · Medical review pending
General information, not medical advice. If you're in crisis, call or text 988.