The holidays are a time for late nights, big meals, and for many people, a little extra snoring. You may hear more snoring in a full house or notice that your own snoring is louder after a party. Occasional snoring can be normal, but in some cases, it’s a sign of a more serious problem called obstructive sleep apnea.
Why Snoring Often Worsens During the Holidays
Several common holiday habits can temporarily increase snoring:
- Alcohol: Drinking in the evening relaxes the muscles in the throat, making it easier for the airway to vibrate and collapse.
- Overeating or heavy meals: A very full stomach can press against the diaphragm, worsening reflux and inflaming the throat and airways.
- Irregular sleep schedules: Staying up late, traveling or sleeping in unfamiliar places can lead to lighter, more disrupted sleep and more snoring.
- Weight changes: Even a small amount of weight gain around the neck and upper body can narrow the airway and increase snoring.
If your snoring appears only during this busy time and improves once your routines normalize, it may not be cause for concern. However, persistent or very loud snoring can be a red flag for sleep apnea.
Snoring vs. Sleep Apnea: What’s the Difference?
Snoring is the sound of air vibrating through relaxed tissues in the throat. Sleep apnea happens when the airway becomes partially or completely blocked during sleep, causing breathing to stop and start repeatedly.
Red flags that snoring may be related to sleep apnea include:
- Pauses in breathing witnessed by a bed partner
- Snoring followed by gasping, choking or snorting
- Very loud snoring most nights
- Waking up unrefreshed despite having a full night’s rest
- Morning headaches, dry mouth or sore throat
- Daytime sleepiness, trouble focusing or irritability
- Needing multiple cups of coffee or energy drinks to stay awake
Sleep apnea is more than disruptive snoring. It can increase the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and other health problems if left untreated.
When Occasional Snoring Should Be Checked
Even if your snoring seems tied to holidays or busy seasons, it’s important to pay attention to patterns:
- If others notice breathing pauses or dramatic gasps
- If your snoring has gradually worsened over time
- If you snore year-round, not just during the holidays
- If you wake up more tired than before, despite 7–8 hours of sleep
These are all good reasons to discuss your snoring with an ENT specialist or sleep medicine provider.
How an ENT Can Help Evaluate Snoring and Sleep Apnea
An ENT evaluation typically includes:
- A detailed history of your symptoms, sleep patterns and overall health
- An exam of your nose, throat and airway to look for structural issues (such as a deviated septum, enlarged tonsils or narrow airway)
- Discussion of whether a sleep study is appropriate
A sleep study (at home or in a sleep lab) monitors your breathing, oxygen levels and sleep stages. It can confirm whether sleep apnea is present and how severe it is.
Treatment Options: From Simple Changes to Specialized Care
Depending on the cause and severity, treatment may include:
- Lifestyle changes: Limiting alcohol in the evening, maintaining a healthy weight, sleeping on your side, and treating nasal congestion can reduce snoring.
- Treating nasal or throat issues: Managing allergies, chronic sinusitis, or nasal obstruction can improve airflow.
- Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP machine): A device that gently blows air through a mask to keep the airway open during sleep.
- Oral appliances: Custom mouthpieces that reposition the jaw and tongue to keep the airway open.
- Surgical options: In select cases, procedures to address the tonsils, nasal structures, or other airway problems may be considered.
When to Consult With an ENT Specialist
Consider scheduling an ENT or sleep specialist consultation if:
- Your snoring is long-standing and disturbs others
- You have any symptoms of daytime sleepiness or morning headaches
- You’ve been told you stop breathing or gasp in your sleep
- You have risk factors such as high blood pressure, heart disease or obesity
This holiday season, if snoring is more than just a once-in-a-while annoyance, it may be your body’s way of asking for help. An evaluation can clarify whether you’re dealing with simple snoring or sleep apnea, and help you get back to restful, healthy sleep in the new year. Book a visit with us today at ENT of Georgia North to learn more.
