Resumen

• Common symptom caused by a spectrum of sleep-disordered breathing disorders, ranging from intermittent simple snoring to chronic heavy simple snoring, upper airway resistance syndrome, and obstructive sleep apnoea.
• It is important to rule out obstructive sleep apnoea in patients who snore.
• Can be a significant problem for both the patient and his or her bed partner. It may result in serious strain in a relationship and be socially disruptive.
• Common clinical features in patients who snore are obesity, retrognathia, large tongue, and large tonsils.
• Most patients will benefit from losing weight, stopping smoking, and avoiding alcohol.
• Some patients may benefit from using a mandibular advancement splint or from upper airway surgery. Surgical options may produce high initial success rates, but this reduces over time.
• Childhood snoring is most commonly due to adenotonsillar hypertrophy and usually resolves with age, but if associated with obstructive sleep apnoea can be treated by an adenotonsillectomy.