Why Do I Snore? Causes and Concerns

Snoring isn’t just an annoyance for the person in bed next to you; it can also be a sign of underlying health problems that need attention.

At Michigan Avenue ENT, Dr. Julian Dixon and our team help you understand what’s behind your snoring and how to treat it — whether that means managing nasal congestion, correcting a deviated septum, addressing airway issues, or exploring other therapies.

What causes snoring?

While everyone snores occasionally, frequent snoring usually comes from one or more of these factors:

Relaxed throat muscles

During sleep, especially deep sleep or under the influence of alcohol or certain medications, the muscles in your throat relax and sag into your airway. Consequently, those tissues vibrate as air passes through.

Nasal blockage

When your nose is congested from allergies, colds, or chronic sinus issues, you breathe more through your mouth, which increases the chance of snoring. 

Anatomical factors

A deviated septum, enlarged tonsils, a long soft palate, or a thicker tissue in the back of the throat can all narrow the airway and trigger snoring vibrations. If structural issues are present, we evaluate whether surgical or medical treatment may help.

Sleep position

Lying on your back encourages your tongue and soft palate to fall backward, narrowing the airway and increasing snoring.

Weight and lifestyle

Extra weight around your neck can compress your airway as you sleep. Smoking and alcohol also relax throat muscles and irritate tissues, both of which can worsen snoring.

Age and gender

Snoring often goes hand in hand with aging because muscle tone decreases. Men tend to snore more than women, and women become more prone to snoring after menopause.

When snoring becomes a health concern

Occasional light snoring is common and usually harmless, but snoring that’s loud, frequent, or accompanied by other symptoms can be a sign of a more serious condition, including obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

You should talk with Dr. Dixon if your snoring is accompanied by:

• Loud or disruptive snoring that bothers your bed partner
• Gasping, choking, or pauses in breathing during sleep
• Excessive daytime sleepiness or difficulty concentrating
• Morning headaches
• Dry mouth or sore throat upon waking

These signs could point to OSA, a condition in which your airway repeatedly collapses during sleep. OSA increases your risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and daytime accidents if left untreated.

Even without OSA, chronic snoring can fragment your sleep architecture, meaning you don’t reach the restorative stages of sleep your body and brain need.

How we approach snoring at Michigan Avenue ENT

Dr. Dixon starts with understanding your snoring — its severity, pattern, and impact on your daily life. Assessing your nasal passages, throat, and sleep history helps us identify the factors most contributing to your snoring.

Evaluation of nasal and sinus health

If nasal congestion, allergies, or sinus issues are part of the problem, we may recommend treatments that improve airflow — from medication to procedures that reduce chronic blockage.

Assessment of structural issues

If a deviated septum or enlarged tissues in your throat are part of what’s narrowing your airway, Dr. Dixon discusses whether minimally invasive intervention could help.

Sleep apnea screening and testing

When snoring is loud and disruptive or paired with pauses in breathing and daytime symptoms, we often recommend a sleep study or screening. Identifying or ruling out OSA makes a difference in the treatment we recommend, which may include options like positive airway pressure therapy or customized oral appliances in select cases.

Lifestyle and behavior support

We also discuss positional changes, weight management, and smoking cessation as part of a comprehensive plan, because combining medical care with healthy habits yields the best outcomes.

If snoring is affecting your sleep, your daytime energy, or your partner’s rest, we’re here to help you explore solutions. Call Michigan Avenue ENT in Chicago, Illinois, or request an appointment online to start with a thorough evaluation and discover the best next steps for you.