"It's just snoring... ...right?"
No! Snoring is NOT Normal.
What is Snoring?
Snoring happens when air has trouble moving through the airway during sleep. As we lie down, the tongue and soft tissues in the throat naturally relax and fall backward, narrowing the space we breathe through. When air squeezes through this smaller airway, it makes the soft tissues vibrate—this vibration is what we hear as snoring.
Some people snore because of nasal blockage, while others snore because the tongue and throat tissues collapse toward the back of the airway.
The typical culprit of mild, temporary snoring is nasal congestion or inflammation. While louder, disruptive snoring often involves deeper throat tissues and greater airway collapse - something that can cause life-shortening issues.
Snoring is NOT normal & not always harmless
These sounds called snoring are the audible sign of tissues touching as air passes. This means some reduced airflow or oxygen to the body is occurring. Normal functioning airway tissue should not obstruct airflow into the body. The severity of this obstruction you are hearing can only be determined by a sleep test.
Snoring is often brushed off as a nuisance, but for many people it can be a sign of an underlying sleep-related breathing disorder, including obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
Snoring in Children
Snoring in children is never considered normal, even if it seems soft, occasional, or something they “grow out of.” A child’s airway is smaller and more sensitive than an adult’s, so even mild obstruction can create significant sleep and developmental problems.
When a child sleeps, the muscles of the throat relax just like in adults. But if the tongue falls backward, the soft palate vibrates, or the tonsils and adenoids are enlarged, the airway becomes too narrow for smooth airflow. As air squeezes through this tight space, the tissues vibrate and create the sound we recognize as snoring.
The Hidden Epidemic
• Studies estimate that up to 85% of Americans with OSA remain undiagnosed.
• Many people who snore don’t realize their snoring may be linked to sleep apnea.
• Untreated OSA is associated with serious health risks, including high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and daytime fatigue.
✅ The Good News
At Charlotte Sleep Solutions, we believe that knowing whether you need treatment should be easily accessible and quick.
That’s why we offer a no waiting home sleep testing program designed to give you clear answers. In a short amount of time you can know if your snoring — or your loved one’s snoring — is adversely affecting health.
This convenient test is done in the comfort of your own home and provides accurate sleep health insights without the need for an unfamiliar, uncomfortable overnight lab stay.
👉 Click the link below to see if you or your loved one is a good candidate for home sleep testing.
Snoring Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Is snoring always a sign of sleep apnea?
Not always — but frequent snoring is one of the strongest warning signs of airway obstruction and should always be medically evaluated. While occasional snoring can be harmless, chronic (constant) or loud snoring may be a sign of obstructive sleep apnea or ongoing airway collapse, which can affect overall health.
Can children snore, and is it normal?
Children can snore, but habitual snoring is not normal and may be linked to airway development issues, enlarged tonsils, mouth breathing, or sleep-disordered breathing.
Why do I snore only when I sleep on my back?
When you lie on your back, gravity pulls the tongue and soft tissues backward, narrowing the airway and increasing vibration.
Can snoring get worse over time?
Yes. Aging, weight changes, airway anatomy, and untreated breathing issues can all make snoring progressively louder or more frequent.
When do I know my snoring should be evaluated?
Your snoring should be evaluated if it is frequent, loud, or getting worse over time, or if it’s affecting your health or daily life. You should also seek an evaluation if snoring is accompanied by:
- Pauses in breathing, choking, or gasping during sleep
- Excessive daytime sleepiness, fatigue, or morning headaches
- Difficulty concentrating or memory issues
- High blood pressure, heart disease, or diabetes
- Teeth grinding, jaw pain, or waking with a dry mouth
- Snoring that disrupts your bed partner’s sleep
Early evaluation helps identify airway problems before they progress and allows for more effective, less invasive treatment options.
When do I know my child’s snoring should be evaluated?
A child’s snoring should be evaluated any time it happens regularly, even if it seems mild. Snoring in children is not considered normal and often signals that the airway is working too hard during sleep.
You should schedule an evaluation if your child has:
- Snoring more than 2–3 nights per week
- Loud snoring or snoring you can hear from another room
- Pauses in breathing, gasping, or choking sounds during sleep
- Restless sleep, tossing and turning, or unusual sleep positions
- Mouth breathing, especially during sleep
- Daytime symptoms like irritability, hyperactivity, trouble focusing, or morning headaches
- Bedwetting, especially if it’s new or persistent
- Enlarged tonsils or adenoids
- A history of allergies or chronic congestion
- Slow growth, poor weight gain, or behavioral concerns
Even “cute” or “light” snoring can be a sign of pediatric sleep‑disordered breathing, which can affect behavior, learning, facial development, and overall health. If you’re unsure, it’s always safer to have your child’s airway checked. Early evaluation helps ensure they’re breathing well, sleeping well, and developing as they should.
Have Questions?
Give us a call and one of our friendly, human team members will talk with you.
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