Snoring

Many people snore occasionally. This usually is not a problem. Snoring is caused by a blockage in the nose, mouth, or throat (upper airway).

Snoring is different from sleep apnea, in which a person regularly stops breathing for 10 seconds or longer, because air is still able to flow through the passages and breathing does not stop. Snoring does not disturb the person's sleep, and there is no decrease in the amount of oxygen going to the brain or tissues of the body.

In adults, frequent snoring (rather than occasional snoring) has been linked to heart attack because of reduced blood flow in heart (angina pectoris) and stroke.

Although most people with sleep apnea snore, not all people who snore have sleep apnea. Talk to your doctor if you snore and think you might have sleep apnea.

Credits

ByHealthwise Staff
Primary Medical ReviewerWilliam H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine
Specialist Medical ReviewerDavid Messenger, MD
Last RevisedDecember 13, 2010
By: Healthwise StaffLast Revised: December 13, 2010
Medical Review: William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine
David Messenger, MD

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