Is Worsening Snoring Just Part of Ageing?

Worsening snoring should not automatically be dismissed as part of ageing. Age is one factor in sleep-apnea risk, but a change in symptoms deserves an individual review rather than a blanket explanation.

Compare the pattern with your usual sleep

Has the sound become more frequent, or is the main change how tired you feel? Has a partner noticed breathing pauses or gasping? A brief description of the change is more useful than assuming that all throat or nasal symptoms share one cause.

Avoid age-based assumptions

It is not accurate to assume that everyone becomes inactive, drinks more alcohol or develops nasal obstruction as they grow older. Discuss the factors that actually apply to you. Weight, medicines and nasal symptoms may be relevant topics for professional review.

Do not use noise as the only measure

Less sound after a positional change or snoring remedy can be helpful, but it does not establish that breathing is normal. Significant daytime sleepiness, breathing pauses and gasping warrant assessment.

Seek a plan that can be reviewed

Ask what the proposed approach aims to improve and when to return if it does not help. Do not stop prescribed medicines or sleep-apnea treatment independently. Persistent disruption deserves attention at any adult age.

Keep reading

• Snoring as You Get Older: What to Review

Sources and further reading

• NHS: Snoring
• NHLBI: Sleep apnea causes and risk factors

Published by TannerMedico A/S, the manufacturer of Asonor. This article provides general information for adults and does not replace individual medical advice.