Snoring Treatment | Causes and Effective Medical Options
Snoring treatment starts with finding the cause. Learn the causes, when snoring signals sleep apnea, and the treatment options at Subat Clinics, Riyadh.
Snoring treatment starts with one question: what is causing it? Snoring is a symptom rather than a standalone disease in every case. It may be simple and need no intervention, or it may point to obstructive sleep apnea, which can be linked to health complications if left undiagnosed and untreated.
There is therefore no single treatment that suits everyone, but a plan built after an accurate diagnosis.
At Subat Clinics in Riyadh, snoring treatment begins with a clinical assessment that identifies the site and cause of the obstruction, followed by a sleep test that shows whether the snoring is accompanied by pauses in breathing. The treatment plan is built on both results.
What Is Snoring and Why Does It Happen?
Snoring is a sound produced by vibration of the soft tissues at the back of the throat when air passes through a narrowed airway. The narrower the passage, the faster the airflow and the stronger the vibration, so the sound gets louder.
Many people snore at some point in their lives, but how common snoring is does not mean it is always normal, particularly when it is persistent or accompanied by pauses in breathing.
What Are the Causes of Snoring During Sleep?
The causes of snoring during sleep fall into several groups, and identifying the right cause is what determines the treatment plan:
Anatomical causes: such as a narrow upper airway, enlarged tonsils and adenoids, a large tongue, or a receded lower jaw.
Excess weight: fat around the neck may increase pressure on the airway during sleep.
Nasal obstruction: from allergies, a deviated septum, or enlarged turbinates, which may increase mouth breathing and the likelihood of snoring.
Aging: airway muscles may relax gradually with age.
Alcohol and sedatives: may cause excessive relaxation of the throat muscles. No prescribed medication should be stopped without consulting your doctor.
Sleep position: sleeping on the back may allow the tongue to move backwards, partially narrowing the airway.
The cause is not identified by guessing, but through examination of the nose, throat, and airway within a sleep disorders consultation at Subat Clinics.
What Causes Persistent Snoring?
The causes of persistent snoring differ from occasional snoring. Snoring that appears with a cold and then disappears is usually linked to a temporary cause.
Snoring that continues every night for months or years may point to a fixed cause such as:
A narrow airway.
Excess weight.
Chronic nasal obstruction.
Enlarged tonsils or adenoids.
Sleep apnea.
The pattern of snoring may also change, becoming intermittent with periods of silence in between. These silent periods deserve attention, because they may mean an actual pause in breathing rather than normal quiet during sleep.
When Is Snoring a Sign of Sleep Apnea?
Snoring may be one of the symptoms of sleep apnea, but not everyone who snores has this disorder. Telling them apart does not depend on loudness alone, but on the accompanying symptoms.
Signs That Call for Assessment
Falling asleep or losing focus while driving.
A bed partner noticing pauses in breathing.
Waking up choking or gasping.
Recurrent morning headaches.
Severe daytime sleepiness.
Frequent night urination with no clear cause.
High blood pressure, or blood pressure that is difficult to control.
The presence of any of these signs, particularly pauses in breathing, choking, or sleepiness while driving, calls for medical assessment. A home sleep test can help diagnose sleep apnea in suitable cases over a single night at home.
The recognised signs of sleep apnea include breathing that stops and restarts, repeated snoring, gasping, and daytime sleepiness.
Getting Rid of Snoring in Women
Getting rid of snoring in women is sometimes delayed by the common belief that snoring is a male problem, which can lead to symptoms being interpreted as fatigue or stress.
Factors that may increase snoring in women include:
Hormonal changes after menopause.
Nasal congestion and weight gain during pregnancy.
Excess weight.
Thyroid disorder.
In women, breathing disorders may appear as insomnia, chronic fatigue, or morning headaches rather than loud snoring. Sleep disorders should therefore not be ruled out simply because loud snoring is absent.
How Is Snoring Diagnosed?
Diagnosis starts with a review of symptoms and medical history, along with a clinical examination. The doctor may also ask the bed partner about the nature of the snoring and whether there are pauses in breathing.
Depending on the symptoms, the doctor may recommend a home sleep test or a more comprehensive study.
A comprehensive sleep study can record:
Brain waves.
Blood oxygen levels.
Heart rate.
Breathing rate.
Sleep stages.
Eye and leg movements.
Sleep apnea is classified using the AHI index as:
Mild: 5 to fewer than 15 events per hour.
Moderate: 15 to fewer than 30 events per hour.
Severe: 30 events or more per hour.
This index, alongside symptoms, oxygen levels, and general health, helps in choosing the right treatment. American Academy of Sleep Medicine guidance stresses that the type of sleep test should be selected according to the medical assessment of each case.
At Subat Clinics, sleep tests are carried out at the patient's home, including the advanced study with brain wave recording.
What Are the Treatment Options for Snoring?
Snoring treatment moves from the least invasive options to the more invasive ones, according to the cause and the severity of the case.
1. Changes That Help Reduce Snoring
Recommendations may include:
Weight loss.
Avoiding alcohol close to bedtime.
Treating nasal congestion.
Getting enough sleep.
Avoiding sleeping on the back.
Weight loss may help when excess weight is one of the causes of the snoring.
2. Positional Therapy
If snoring appears only when sleeping on the back, staying on the side may help reduce it.
3. Treating Nasal Obstruction
If the cause is nasal, treatment may include topical sprays, allergy medication, or surgery depending on the case.
Nasal strips and external nasal dilators, however, do not treat obstructive sleep apnea.
4. Oral Appliances
Oral appliances are custom-made to advance the jaw and tongue and help keep the airway open.
They need regular follow-up, because they may cause dry mouth, increased saliva, or jaw pain. They should therefore be fitted medically rather than bought ready-made without assessment.
5. Positive Airway Pressure Devices (CPAP)
The device delivers pressurized air through a mask to keep the airway open during sleep.
It may reduce or stop snoring in many patients, and it is among the most reliable treatments for obstructive sleep apnea. The consultant determines the type of device and how it is adjusted according to the test results and the patient's health status.
6. Airway Surgery
This includes procedures aimed at widening the airway, such as removing excess tissue, advancing the jaws, or reducing soft palate tissue.
Surgery is not the first option in most cases, but it may be suitable when there is a clear anatomical cause.
Many anti-snoring products are widely marketed, but many of them have not been shown to be effective in clinical trials, and relying on them may delay diagnosis.
Why Choose Subat Clinics for Snoring Treatment?
At Subat Clinics in Riyadh, snoring and sleep disorders are assessed by a medical team specialized in pulmonary medicine and sleep medicine.
Saudi consultants specialized in pulmonary medicine and sleep medicine.
Sleep tests performed at the patient's home.
Results ready within 3 working days.
Results read and explained by the consultant.
A complete pathway from consultation to testing, treatment, and follow-up.
Assessment of asthma and chest allergies through a pulmonology consultation.
Subat Clinics provides diagnosis and treatment of snoring and sleep disorders, along with home sleep testing, in Riyadh.
How to Prepare for Your Appointment
Write down the symptoms you experience.
Ask your bed partner what they notice.
Bring a list of your medications and supplements.
Bring the results of any previous sleep study.
Write down your questions before the appointment.
If you live outside Riyadh, you can start through an online sleep disorders consultation.
Book Your Snoring Treatment Appointment at Subat Clinics
Start with a specialized consultation to find the cause of the snoring and whether you need a sleep test, then choose the right treatment based on the result.
📍 Othman Bin Affan Road, Al Taawun District, Riyadh 12477
🕔 Sunday to Wednesday, 5 to 9 PM
📞 0112011100
💬 WhatsApp: 0505999713
Book your snoring treatment appointment now
Sources:
This content is for health awareness purposes and does not replace a personal medical consultation. Do not start or stop any treatment without consulting your doctor.
Medically reviewed by:
Dr. Ahmed Alruhaimi — Consultant in Pulmonary Medicine and Sleep Medicine, Subat Clinics.
Last reviewed: July 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can snoring go away on its own?
Snoring linked to a cold or seasonal allergy may disappear once the cause resolves. Persistent snoring needs assessment, particularly when it is accompanied by pauses in breathing.
Is snoring hereditary?
Genetics may play a role in the shape of the airway and the size of the jaw and tongue, but factors such as weight, smoking, and allergies can be modified.
Do children snore?
Yes, and enlarged tonsils and adenoids are among the most common causes. Persistent snoring in a child needs assessment.
Does quitting smoking help?
Quitting smoking may help reduce inflammation and swelling of the airway, alongside its other health benefits.
How long does it take to see results from treatment?
That depends on the cause of the snoring and the type of treatment. The effect of a positive airway pressure device may appear quickly, while steps such as weight loss and changing sleep position take longer.