Snoring needs no explanation, but the causes can vary and may be a sign of a more significant problem. The most common reasons for snoring may be related to sleep position, eating or drinking alcohol too close to bedtime, overweight or allergies. Often simple changes in behavior can help manage the problem. Snoring, however, can also be caused by physical stature or anatomical variations in the mouth and throat. Appliances worn during sleep can help reposition the lower jaw and advance the position of the tongue resulting in partial, and often, complete relief from the habit.
The word apnea refers to the temporary stoppage of breathing. During deep sleep, the tongue can relax and drop back in the mouth far enough to block the airway and apnea occurs. This can occur dozens of times per hour. Untreated, sleep apnea can cause serious heart and respiratory issues. Snoring is often a sign that apnea is a problem and a physician should be consulted. A sleep study performed in a hospital will usually confirm the diagnosis and an appropriate treatment plan can be determined. Oral appliance therapy may be a part of this treatment.