ENT Surgery

Snoring Treatments – Causes, Risks and Options

Snoring is a real problem that can affect your sleep, your health, and your relationships. The good news is – snoring can be treated.

At Melbourne ENT, we understand how snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) can impact your life. With the right approach, you can achieve quieter, healthier sleep.

What Causes Snoring?

Snoring happens when your throat muscles relax too much while you sleep. This causes the soft tissues in your throat to partially collapse and vibrate when you breathe in, making the loud snoring noise.

Key causes of snoring:

  • Relaxed throat muscles during deep sleep
  • Alcohol or sedatives, which worsen muscle relaxation
  • Sleeping on your back
  • A blocked nose or nasal congestion
  • Ageing, which makes throat tissues weaker
  • Natural anatomical differences like:
    • A low, floppy soft palate
    • Thick or long uvula
    • Large or saggy tonsils
    • Floppy throat pillars
    • Large tongue base

Some people are simply more prone to snoring, and even healthy, fit individuals can be loud snorers.

Does Being Overweight Cause Snoring?

Weight can make snoring worse, but it’s not the only cause.

Why?

  • Overweight patients often have wider necks that put extra pressure on the throat.
  • More effort is then needed to breathe.

However, snoring also affects healthy, slim people, so it’s not always linked to body weight.

Is There a ‘Typical’ Snorer?

Snorers come in all shapes and sizes – men, women, young, and old. Even though it’s more common in men (around 30% of men and 20% of women), snoring can affect anyone.

Understanding Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) – When Snoring is More Than Just Noise

Snoring can sometimes be a warning sign of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA), which is more serious.

What is OSA?

  • OSA is when the throat completely closes during sleep.
  • Breathing stops for 10 to 60 seconds at a time, possibly up to 60 times per hour.
  • Blood oxygen levels drop (known as oxygen desaturation or hypoxia).
  • Severe OSA is dangerous and needs urgent treatment.

Signs of OSA:

  • Restless sleep
  • Daytime tiredness
  • Morning headaches
  • Poor memory
  • Mood changes
  • Impotence
  • Increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and sudden death

Do You Need a Sleep Study?

If your partner notices breath-holding or choking sounds at night, or if you feel constantly tired during the day, you may need an overnight sleep study (Polysomnogram).

This non-invasive test, performed by a Sleep Physician, is the best way to confirm if you have OSA.

For patients in Melbourne, Australia we suggest:

Epworth Sleep Centre – (03) 9417 5113 – https://epworthsleepcentre.com.au/
Brighton Sleep and Respiratory Group – (03) 9591 0066 – https://www.sleepgroup.com.au/

Problems Snoring Can Cause

Snoring doesn’t just disturb your sleep – it can affect those around you.

Common problems:

  • Partners can’t sleep and may move to another room.
  • Snoring can strain relationships.
  • Embarrassment in shared spaces (like aeroplanes, campsites, or sleepovers).
  • Neighbours may even hear loud snorers in small apartments.
  • Women may feel particularly embarrassed because snoring is sometimes seen as ‘unladylike’.

Snoring Treatment Options

The right treatment depends on the cause and severity of your snoring. At Melbourne ENT, we offer a full range of evidence-based options.

1. Lifestyle Solutions

  • Avoid alcohol and sedatives before bed.
  • Lose weight (if needed) to reduce throat pressure.
  • Sleep on your side – try using special pillows or sewing a tennis ball into the back of your pyjamas to discourage back sleeping.
  • Treat nasal congestion with breathing strips or sprays (avoid long-term spray use).

2. Dental Devices

Mandibular Advancement Splints (MAS) pull the lower jaw forward, opening the airway. These need to be worn nightly and may take time to get used to.

3. CPAP Therapy

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) uses a face mask that gently blows air into the throat to keep it open.

CPAP Benefits:

  • Very effective – even for severe OSA
  • Non-surgical and safe
  • Can be used long-term

CPAP Drawbacks:

  • Some people find it uncomfortable or noisy.
  • Can feel awkward or unromantic.

CPAP Machines:

  • Resmed, Fisher & Paykel and BMC are the most popular CPAP devices in Australia

Surgical Treatments for Snoring and OSA

If lifestyle changes and devices don’t solve the problem, surgery may be the best option.

1. Palate Stiffening (An Outpatient Procedure)

  • Scar tissue is created to stiffen the soft palate.
  • Reduces flutter but doesn’t make more space.
  • Less effective for severe OSA or if the nose is blocked.
  • Includes radio-frequency treatments and pillar implants.
  • Medicare and private health insurance don’t usually cover these treatments.

2. Palate Trimming (Laser or Plasma-Knife Palatoplasty)

  • The most common surgical solution for snoring.
  • Trims the uvula and floppy palate edges.
  • Performed under general anaesthetic (about 30 minutes).
  • Usually involves one night in hospital.
  • Most people need 5-7 days off work.
  • Often combined with nasal surgery to improve breathing.

Recovery:

  • Minimal pain for the first few days.
  • Moderate pain for up to a week (similar to a large mouth ulcer).
  • Pain is managed with medication and lozenges.
  • Morphine is rarely needed.

Success Rate:

  • 80% of patients’ partners are satisfied with the results.

3. Nasal Surgery – like Septoplasty

  • Nasal Surgery corrects a deviated septum or blocked nose.
  • Often improves the success of snoring surgery.

4. Tonsil and Adenoid Removal

5. Uvulo-Palato-Pharyngo-Plasty (UPPP)

  • UPPP is less commonly used now.
  • Involves removing tonsils and trimming the soft palate.
  • Modern versions (Modified PPP) are less painful and may preserve the uvula.

6. Tongue Base Surgery

When throat and nasal surgery don’t fully solve the problem, the tongue base may need to be addressed.

Options include:

  • Tongue Base Advancement: Pulls the tongue base forward to open the airway.
  • Coblation Tongue Reduction: Safely reduces tongue tissue with new Coblator technology.
  • Orthognathic (Jaw) Surgery: Advanced jaw repositioning that offers excellent results for severe OSA.

Can You Predict the Success of Surgical Snoring Treatments?

While many patients achieve optimal results, not every case can be perfectly predicted. Some people with mild OSA respond exceptionally well to palate surgery, while others may need additional treatments for ongoing success.

Why Choose Melbourne ENT for Snoring Treatment?

  • Highly Experienced Ear, Nose & Throat surgeons
  • A range of non-surgical and surgical options are available
  • Modern, minimally invasive techniques
  • Personalised treatment plans
  • Convenient Melbourne and Regional locations

Book a Consultation Today

If snoring is affecting your life or you’re worried about sleep apnoea, we’re here to help. Contact Melbourne ENT for a full assessment and personalised treatment options.

Please phone the Team or send an Email below

Medical References

7 months ago
Dr Stephen Kleid

Dr Stephen Kleid is an ENT Surgeon in Melbourne Australia.