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Snoring
Snoring is a common phenomenon caused by a narrowing of the upper airway during sleep. If snoring disrupts sleep or causes fatigue during the day, it's a good idea to see a doctor.
Specialists in the article
LT,Keuhkosairauksien ja allergologian erikoislääk.
Korva-, nenä- ja kurkkutautien erikoislääkäri
Revised 9/27/2024
Basic facts about snoring
- Snoring is a sound that occurs during sleep due to vibrations in the upper airway.
- Snoring is not an illness in itself, but it's a typical symptom of sleep apnoea.
- Snoring is treated through lifestyle changes, medication and an oral appliance. If snoring interferes with your sleep, it's a good idea to book an appointment with an ear, nose and throat doctor.
Related services
CPAP therapy
Positive airway pressure ventilation effectively reduces sleep apnoea symptoms and improves the quality of life.
Concise sleep polygraphy
A reliable at-home examination to diagnose and assess the severity of sleep apnoea.
Sleep and sleep disorders
Sleep disorders can be caused by both physical and psychological factors. It's a good idea to seek help if you have a sleep disorder.
What causes snoring?
Snoring is a sound that occurs during sleep due to vibration and partial narrowing of the structures of the upper airway. Snoring is not an illness in itself, but rather a sign of temporarily increased resistance in the upper airway.
It's estimated that about 25% of men and 5% of women snore every night. Snoring increases with age, and half of men over 60 and nearly a third of women over 60 snore every night.
The following factors make snoring more likely:
- being overweight
- a narrow airway
- occlusal problems
- use of sleeping pills and alcohol.
Treatment of snoring
Mild snoring does not require treatment. However, an assessment of the cause of the snoring is appropriate if the snoring disrupts sleep. If you snore, you should have your throat and upper airway checked by an ear, nose and throat doctor.
There is no one-size-fits-all method for treating snoring. Instead, treatment decisions are made with a doctor on an individual basis, taking into account the causes of the snoring and the conditions of the person snoring. Consultation with an ear, nose and throat doctor is recommended if the snoring is loud, occurs every night or causes fatigue during the day.
If there is a narrowing in the upper airway, an ear, nose and throat doctor can assess whether there is a need for intervention. Examining the oropharynx, laryngopharynx, larynx and nose helps to determine the sites of the narrowing in the airway. If the sleep apnoea is mild but the patient has severe fatigue, for example, treatment with a CPAP machine or an oral appliance for snoring can be tried out.
There are three main ways to treat snoring:
- lifestyle changes
- medication
- an oral appliance for snoring
In the past, various surgical procedures were also used to treat snoring, but today, actual snoring surgeries or heat procedures on the pharynx are no longer performed. If the patient's nose is very blocked, nasal RFA, i.e. a heat procedure, can be considered on a case-by-case basis. In some cases, surgery can be used, for example, to straighten the nasal septum or remove large tonsils.
Treatment of snoring through lifestyle changes
Before any treatments, lifestyle changes and home care can be used to treat snoring. These include, for example:
- losing weight if the patient is overweight
- changing the sleeping position for those who snore while sleeping on their back
- avoiding alcohol and sedatives before bedtime.
Treatment of snoring with an oral appliance or medication
Medications and oral appliances can be effective in treating snoring. Medications that improve breathing through the nose or nasal dilators may be helpful to some people. Oral appliances that pull the lower jaw forward can reduce snoring, especially if the patient's lower jaw is small or has a tendency to "drop" during sleep. Oral appliances for sleep apnoea can help to treat mild sleep apnoea.
When should I see a doctor about snoring?
The most important foundation for treating snoring is to determine the cause of the snoring as precisely as possible. If the snoring is not mild and starts to affect your sleep quality and coping, it's a good idea to book an appointment with a doctor. If necessary, the doctor can make a referral for sleep registration, such as a concise sleep polygraphy.
Prices are starting prices and depend on the selected studies and treatment methods. An outpatient clinic fee and Kanta fee are added to consultation visits.
| Service | Price estimate |
|---|---|
| Start of CPAP machine therapy (1st appointment with a sleep apnoea nurse) *The customer purchases a CPAP machine for themselves, starting from EUR 223.90. | from 223,90 € No Kela reimbursement |
| Initial examination for snoring | from 66,80 € Without Kela reimbursement from 96,80 € |
| Concise sleep polygraphy No Kela reimbursement will be paid for a concise sleep polygraphy. Learn more and book an appointment for a concise sleep polygraphy | from 542,40 € No Kela reimbursement |
| First visit for sleep apnea splint Total cost estimate for the sleep apnea splint from 1200 €. Learn more about the sleep apnea splint and book an appointment (in Finnish) | from 96,80 € Without Kela reimbursement from 123,80 € |
| Initial evaluation for sleep apnoea | from 66,80 € Without Kela reimbursement from 96,80 € |
| Initial examination of sleep disorders | from 66,80 € Without Kela reimbursement from 96,80 € |
Frequently asked questions about snoring
Snoring is a sound that occurs during sleep when the structures of the upper airway vibrate and are partially narrowed. Snoring is not an illness in itself, but rather a sign of temporarily increased resistance in the upper airway.
Snoring can be caused by, for example, being overweight, a narrow airway, occlusal problems or the use of sleeping pills and alcohol. If snoring is disrupting your sleep, it's a good idea to see a doctor.
Being overweight, a narrow airway, occlusal problems and the use of sleeping pills and alcohol can make you more likely to snore.
It's estimated that about 25% of men and 5% of women snore every night. Snoring increases with age, and half of men over 60 and nearly a third of women over 60 snore every night.
There are several ways to treat snoring:
- Overweight patients may benefit from weight loss, and those who snore while sleeping on their back may benefit from changing their sleeping position, i.e. trying positional therapy.
- Alcohol and sedatives should be avoided before bedtime.
- Some people who snore benefit from medications that improve breathing through the nose or nasal dilators.
- Oral appliances that pull the lower jaw forward, which are available from a dentist, can also reduce snoring.
If the snoring is loud and occurs every night, you should seek professional help.
The treatment of snoring may include lifestyle changes, such as losing weight and changing your sleeping position. Alcohol and sedatives should be avoided before bedtime. Some people who snore benefit from medications that improve breathing through the nose or nasal dilators. Oral appliances that pull the lower jaw forward keep the airway open and can reduce snoring. An oral appliance is the primary treatment option if the patient's lower jaw is small or has a tendency to "drop" during sleep. Oral appliances for sleep apnoea, which are available from a dentist, can help treat mild sleep apnoea.
If the snoring is not mild and starts to affect your sleep quality and coping, it's a good idea to book an appointment with a doctor. If necessary, the doctor can make a referral for sleep registration, such as a concise sleep polygraphy, in which the patient sleeps one night at home with the measuring device and the device is returned in the morning. After the registration night, the device can be read to see whether you had any pauses in breathing or snoring during the night.
