Wondering if an ENT Can Help with Snoring? Here’s What to Know

Snoring might seem like just another part of sleep, but it can be a sign that something isn’t working quite right. Whether it’s causing problems for you or someone else, regular snoring often points to an issue that deserves attention. And in many cases, an ENT is one of the first professionals people turn to for help.

ENTs, or ear, nose, and throat specialists, focus on structures in the head and neck that can play a role in how air moves during sleep. If at-home fixes haven’t helped and snoring is starting to become a pattern, they can help get to the bottom of it.

Let’s look at how an ENT approaches snoring, what they might evaluate, and what happens next.

How an ENT Helps with Snoring

ENT stands for ear, nose, and throat specialist, short for otolaryngologist. These doctors are trained to evaluate how the upper airways function and whether anything is interfering with normal breathing during sleep. That includes the sinuses, nasal passages, tonsils, and soft tissues in the back of the throat.

If snoring is frequent, loud, or disruptive, and changes like shifting sleep position haven’t helped, an ENT may be able to investigate possible contributing factors. They often assess both anatomy and environment to understand what’s contributing.

What an ENT Might Look For

Snoring tends to start when airflow is partially blocked during sleep, causing tissues in the throat to vibrate. ENTs evaluate a range of possible contributors, especially structural ones. In some cases, they may recommend seeing another specialist if the issue appears to involve more than just structural or airway factors.

Structural or Physical Factors

• Deviated septum - when the wall dividing the nostrils is off-center

• Swollen turbinates - enlarged tissues inside the nasal passages

• Nasal polyps - soft, noncancerous growths in the nose

• Enlarged tonsils or adenoids - which can narrow the throat, especially in children

• Obstruction in the soft palate or uvula - the tissues at the back of the mouth

Lifestyle and Environmental Triggers

• Weight changes that affect neck and throat tissues

• Smoking, which irritates and inflames airways

• Alcohol use before bed, which relaxes throat muscles

• Sleeping on your back, which can lead to airway collapse

• Seasonal or chronic allergies that cause congestion

ENTs evaluate these factors as part of a broader diagnostic approach to understand the causes of snoring.

What to Expect During an ENT Visit for Snoring

Most visits begin with a conversation. The ENT may ask:

• How often you snore

• Your sleeping position

• Whether you wake up tired

• If you choke or gasp during sleep

• If anyone has noticed pauses in your breathing

In-Office Evaluations Might Include:

• A physical exam of your nose, throat, and mouth

• Nasal endoscopy (a small scope to view the airways)

• Imaging, if needed, to check for structural concerns

• A discussion of sleep patterns and medical history

If certain patterns come up during the evaluation, the ENT may suggest a sleep study or refer you to a sleep specialist for a closer look.

ENT Treatment Options for Snoring

Depending on the cause, treatment can range from simple habit changes to more involved procedures. Before recommending treatments, an ENT may suggest a sleep study to rule out obstructive sleep apnea, as its management differs significantly from simple snoring. Most ENTs begin with the least invasive options.

Non-Surgical Recommendations

Lifestyle adjustments:

• Sleeping on your side

• Reducing or avoiding alcohol and tobacco

• Managing weight or allergies

Nasal support methods:

• Over-the-counter nasal sprays may be recommended for temporary congestion or allergy-related snoring, but they are not effective for chronic snoring unrelated to these conditions

• Nasal strips or other non-invasive devices

Referral for a sleep study:

If sleep apnea is suspected, a formal study may help confirm the diagnosis

ENT-Directed Procedures and Surgical Options

In cases where anatomy is contributing to snoring, an ENT may suggest:

• Septoplasty: a procedure that adjusts the nasal septum and may help with airflow issues

• Turbinate reduction: reducing the size of swollen nasal tissues

• Tonsillectomy or adenoid removal: sometimes recommended when enlarged tissue is thought to be affecting airflow, especially in children

• Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP): removes or restructures soft palate, uvula, or tonsil tissue to widen the airway, typically considered after confirming snoring is due to soft palate vibration and not sleep apnea.

Not everyone needs surgery. These procedures are typically discussed after other options have been considered.

Tips to Try at Home While You Wait

If you're waiting for your appointment or exploring other options, some practical tips might help reduce snoring:

• Sleep on your side

• Use a humidifier to ease dry air

• Stay hydrated

• Elevate your head slightly

• Avoid alcohol or sedatives before bed

These changes don’t work for everyone, but they might reduce some of the common factors that contribute to snoring.

When to Consider Seeing an ENT

Snoring doesn’t always point to a medical issue, but there are times when it’s a good idea to have it checked out. If the snoring has become louder over time, happens almost every night, or continues despite trying simple lifestyle changes, it could be a sign that something more is going on. It’s also worth paying attention if you wake up feeling tired even after a full night’s sleep, or if you’ve ever found yourself gasping or choking during the night. Sometimes, it’s not the snorer who notices the problem first, but a partner who hears pauses in breathing. In these cases, getting input from an ENT can help you understand what might be causing it and what your next steps should be.

Conclusion

Snoring isn’t always simple. Sometimes it’s just a sound, and other times it’s a signal that something needs attention. ENTs can help explore whether physical or environmental factors are contributing and suggest possible next steps.

They don’t always treat the issue directly, and may refer you to other specialists, but they can play an important role in figuring out what’s behind the noise.

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