What Causes Snoring and How Can I Stop It? | A Houston ENT Expert Explains
- Madeleine Herman
- May 26
- 3 min read
By: Dr. Madeleine Herman, MD, MPH, FAAOA
Snoring can be more than just a nighttime nuisance—it can disrupt your sleep, impact your relationships, and signal more serious health concerns like sleep apnea. At our Houston ENT clinic, we help patients every day uncover the root cause of their snoring and offer personalized solutions to help them breathe and sleep better.
Why Do People Snore?
Snoring occurs when airflow through your mouth and nose is partially blocked during sleep. This causes the soft tissues in your throat—like the soft palate and uvula—to vibrate, producing the familiar sound.
Several common causes of snoring include:
1. Nasal Congestion or Allergies
Houston’s high pollen and humidity levels make seasonal allergies and chronic sinus issues common. Blocked nasal passages force you to breathe through your mouth, increasing snoring.
2. Deviated Septum
A crooked or deviated nasal septum can restrict airflow and contribute to nighttime snoring and even chronic sinus infections.
3. Enlarged Tonsils or Uvula
Especially in children, enlarged tonsils or adenoids can obstruct the airway and lead to snoring. In adults, a long soft palate or uvula may be the culprit.
4. Being Overweight
Excess weight around the neck can compress the airway, particularly when lying down, making snoring more likely.
5. Sleep Position
Sleeping on your back causes gravity to pull the tongue and soft palate toward the back of your throat, increasing the chance of snoring.
6. Alcohol and Sedatives
These relax the muscles in your throat, increasing airway obstruction and making snoring worse.
Is Snoring Dangerous?
Occasional snoring isn’t usually serious, but loud, frequent snoring may be a sign of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)—a condition that causes breathing to repeatedly stop and start during sleep. Untreated sleep apnea has been linked to:
Daytime fatigue
High blood pressure
Heart disease
Increased risk of stroke
If your snoring is accompanied by gasping, choking, or pauses in breathing, you should see a sleep specialist or ENT in Houston right away.
How Can I Stop Snoring?
Here are six proven ways to reduce or eliminate snoring—and get better sleep:
1. Treat Nasal Obstruction
Use saline sprays, nasal steroids, or allergy treatments. If you have a deviated septum, nasal obstruction or nasal polyps, consult a Houston ENT for in-office or surgical options.
2. Change Your Sleep Position
Try sleeping on your side instead of your back. Special body pillows or sleep-positioning devices can help.
3. Lose Weight (If Overweight)
Even modest weight loss can reduce pressure on the airway and lessen snoring.
4. Avoid Alcohol Before Bed
Cutting back on alcohol and sedatives—especially in the evening—can prevent excessive throat relaxation.
5. Try a CPAP Machine or Oral Appliance
If diagnosed with sleep apnea, a CPAP machine or dental appliance may be prescribed to keep your airway open.
6. Visit a Houston ENT Specialist
If lifestyle changes don’t help, an ENT can evaluate your airway and recommend solutions like:
Turbinate reduction
Septoplasty
Tonsillectomy
Sleep apnea testing and treatment
Snoring Treatment in Houston, TX
At SCENT Houston - Sinus Center & ENT Specialists of Houston, we offer comprehensive snoring evaluations, in-office procedures, and personalized treatment plans for adults and children. Whether it’s allergies, a deviated septum, or sleep apnea—we’ll help you breathe easier and sleep better.
💤 Ready to Stop Snoring?
Don’t ignore the snore. Book your consultation with a trusted ENT in Houston today and take the first step toward quiet, restful nights.
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