Apart from cases of sleep apnea, snoring is not really a very serious problem, except obviously for those around them who can be quite desperate! Most people who see a doctor for this condition experience major snoring. The doctor must then determine whether there is sleep apnea or not.

If it is simply snoring, I recommend first losing weight, quitting smoking and especially limiting alcohol consumption in the evening. These few measures should decrease snoring appreciably.

If the major snoring persists, I recommend a consultation with an ENT (otolaryngologist), who can suggest certain treatments that are mainly aimed at cases of sleep apnea, but which could still apply to your situation, such as a nasal steroid spray, dentures, CPAP machines, or even surgery.

Dr. Jacques Allard MD FCMFC