Snoring Treatment Sydney

Snoring is the harsh or hoarse sound that occurs when air flows past relaxed tissues in the throat, causing them to vibrate during sleep. While occasional snoring is common and usually harmless, chronic loud snoring can indicate a narrowed airway and may be a sign of obstructive sleep apnoea, a condition that requires medical assessment and treatment.

Symptoms of Snoring

Snoring can range from a soft, occasional sound to a loud, disruptive noise that affects your partner's sleep and your own quality of rest. Common symptoms and associated signs include:

• Loud, habitual snoring that is audible from another room
• Witnessed pauses in breathing during sleep (apnoeas)
• Excessive daytime sleepiness and fatigue
• Waking with a dry mouth, sore throat, or morning headache
• Restless sleep and frequent night-time awakenings
• Difficulty concentrating, irritability, and mood changes

What Causes Snoring?

Snoring occurs when airflow through the mouth and nose is partially obstructed during sleep. This obstruction causes the soft tissues of the throat to vibrate. Several factors can contribute:

Anatomical factors: A deviated nasal septum, enlarged tonsils or adenoids, a long soft palate or uvula, and nasal polyps can all narrow the airway. A receding jaw or large tongue base may also contribute to obstruction.

Lifestyle factors: Excess body weight, particularly around the neck, increases pressure on the airway. Alcohol consumption relaxes the throat muscles and worsens snoring. Sleeping on your back allows the tongue and soft palate to collapse backward.

Medical factors: Chronic nasal congestion from allergies or sinusitis, hypothyroidism, and neuromuscular conditions can all contribute to snoring. Ageing also leads to loss of muscle tone in the throat.

Diagnosis

At Central Sydney ENT, our surgeons conduct a thorough assessment of snoring that includes:

A detailed clinical history covering the severity, frequency, and pattern of snoring, along with questions about daytime sleepiness, witnessed apnoeas, and cardiovascular risk factors. A physical examination of the nose, throat, palate, and neck helps identify the site of obstruction.

Flexible nasendoscopy may be performed in the clinic to visualise the upper airway. In many cases, a sleep study (polysomnography) will be arranged to determine whether obstructive sleep apnoea is present and assess its severity. This distinction is critical because it guides treatment decisions.

Treatment Options

Treatment for snoring depends on the underlying cause and severity. Our ENT surgeons offer both non-surgical and surgical approaches:

Non-Surgical Management

Lifestyle modifications such as weight loss, avoiding alcohol before bed, and positional therapy (sleeping on your side) can be effective for mild snoring. A mandibular advancement splint (MAS) worn during sleep repositions the jaw to open the airway. CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) is the gold-standard treatment if obstructive sleep apnoea is diagnosed.

Surgical Options

Septoplasty and turbinate reduction correct a deviated septum and reduce swollen nasal turbinates to improve nasal airflow. Tonsillectomy may be recommended if enlarged tonsils are the primary cause. Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) removes excess tissue from the soft palate and pharynx to widen the airway. In select cases, tongue base reduction or multilevel sleep surgery may be considered.

When to See an ENT Specialist

You should seek specialist assessment for snoring if:

• Your snoring is loud, frequent, and disruptive
• Your partner has witnessed pauses in your breathing
• You experience excessive daytime sleepiness or fatigue
• Lifestyle changes have not improved your snoring

Central Sydney ENT has six FRACS-qualified ENT surgeons across seven Sydney locations in Burwood, Campbelltown, Gregory Hills, Ultimo, Drummoyne, Hunters Hill, and Miranda. Our surgeons are experienced in identifying the anatomical cause of snoring and recommending the most effective treatment.