Snoring When Falling Asleep: Causes & What to Do

Snoring occurs when the soft palate, tongue and throat relax during sleep causing partial blockage of the airways and resulting in varying levels of noisy vibrations. Snoring can occur during any stage of sleep including when an individual is falling asleep.

Early Snoring

• While an individual who snores in the later stages of sleep is often unaware of the condition, a sleeper who snores while falling asleep is often aware of the snoring and may even wake up. This condition may make it difficult to reach the most restful, deep stages of sleep. Snoring that occurs in the early stages of sleep is rarely related to sleep apnea, one of the more serious causes of snoring in which breathing ceases altogether for brief periods of time.

Causes

• Snoring may have a number of different causes, including a person's unique anatomy, body weight or nasal issues. Snoring can also be caused by lifestyle choices such as drug use, smoking or drinking. Anything that relaxes the muscles in the throat or leads to an airway blockage can result in snoring.

Prevention/Solution

• Eliminate drinking, smoking and drug use from your lifestyle, particularly before you plan to sleep. Losing weight and sleeping on your side may also mitigate snoring. If these lifestyle changes fail, it may be necessary to see a sleep specialist who may prescribe a medical device or recommend surgery.