Do you often wake with a dry or sore throat? Do you wonder can snoring damage your throat?
There are various potential causes of waking with a sore throat that are not associated with having a viral or bacterial infection. From mouth breathing to dehydration, acid reflux to diabetes, allergies to air pollution, and smoking to dry air, it can be quite frustrating and sets a less-than-ideal start to the day.
While sleeping with your mouth open (and breathing through the mouth) can result in throat dryness and soreness on waking, so too can snoring. The bigger question for habitual snorers is, can snoring damage the throat?
Snoring – The Basics
Snoring is the result of soft tissue vibration of the nasal passages, mouth, tongue, or throat that occurs while sleeping. It is very common; according to the Australian Sleep Health Foundation, around 40% of men and up to 30% of women have (at least) mild snoring. 15% of people snore almost nightly.
Snoring is not just disruptive for one’s sleep partner.
Snorers often wake frequently. They may be unaware of this, but it causes “tossing and turning”, diminishes sleep quality, compromises the normal sleep cycle, and limits the amount of time spent in deep, restorative sleep. This leads to several negative effects on one’s health, well-being, and quality of life, from issues with memory, concentration, and mood to impaired job performance and a higher risk of on-the-job and motor vehicle accidents.
Snoring also increases the risk of thickening of the carotid artery, which supplies blood to the brain. This thereby distinctly increases one’s risk of stroke. Other conditions including heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, obesity, and some cancers have also been strongly associated with snoring.
Can Snoring Damage Your Throat? The Impact of Snoring on the Throat
Snoring can cause a sore throat. Mouth breathing is common in snorers and usually leads to dryness, irritation, and a temporary sore throat on waking. So too, the constant throat tissue vibration that both causes and results from snoring can irritate and inflame the area, resulting in throat scratchiness and pain. Furthermore, acid reflux, which has been linked with snoring, may also cause throat inflammation.
A harmless sore throat is simply uncomfortable – but can snoring cause actual damage to the throat?
Occasionally, yes, it can.
- Moderate to heavy or severe snoring, especially if it is habitual, can damage the upper airway tract through neuromuscular injury and structural damage at the molecular level, as well as a loss of nerves and muscle mass, especially in the soft palate.
- Chronic irritation and inflammation further contribute to damage, and once it has occurred, the body is less adept at repairing the tissues. This is pronounced when snoring occurs most nights without reprieve.
- What follows is a pernicious cycle: -> snoring causes throat damage -> the body is unable to properly repair and recover -> sleep patterns are further disrupted -> snoring worsens -> damage worsens.
Tips to Reduce Snoring and Alleviate Associated Sore Throat
- Hydrate – drink plenty of water throughout the day.
- Use a humidifier – if your bedroom air is very dry.
- Lose weight – even just reducing by 5% of your body weight can significantly improve snoring.
- Sleep on your side – most snoring occurs while sleeping on the back.
- Quit smoking/vaping – these irritate and inflame the tissues of the airways and worsen snoring.
- Maintain a Healthy Diet – limit caffeine, sugar, salt, and acidic drinks.
- Treat nasal congestion – optimise nasal breathing to discourage mouth breathing. Nasal saline sprays or topical nasal steroid sprays (on your doctor’s advice) can help open the nasal passages and reduce the likelihood of both snoring and post-nasal drip (which also contributes to a sore throat).
- Minimise alcohol consumption – especially before bedtime. Alcohol can overly relax the airway muscles, and may also cause acid reflux, which often causes a sore throat.
- Treat Obstructive Sleep Apnoea – and other health conditions. See your GP for this.
- Treat Allergies – and mitigate the risk by removing allergens (e.g. dust, pets) from your bedroom.
- Seek Medical Advice – as a chronic sore or dry throat may indicate another health condition. This especially applies if you have a recurrent sore throat; fever, joint pain, or other signs of infection; difficulty swallowing or breathing; sores or white patches in the mouth; or a sensation of a lump in the throat or mouth.
*Note that antibiotics should only ever be used for a proven bacterial infection – they are completely ineffective for viruses*
- Use an oral anti-snoring device – like SnoreMD!
Stop Snoring with SnoreMD
Occasional snoring is, in most cases, harmless.
Frequent, loud, or disruptive snoring, on the other hand, can be a warning sign of obstructive sleep apnoea, which is a serious health disorder. It also has an array of other ramifications for one’s health and well-being, both in the short and long term. See your doctor to ensure you do not have obstructive sleep apnoea, as this requires ongoing medical treatment.
Prevent throat damage, inflammation, and soreness that results from snoring. Stop snoring with SnoreMD.
SnoreMD is the Australian brand of a revolutionary oral mandibular advancement device that has effectively minimised or even prevented snoring in thousands of people worldwide. It is fully adjustable, making it comfortable to use, and is worn in the mouth during sleep to gently hold the lower jaw slightly forward. This helps open the airways and prevent snoring.
Say goodbye to potential throat damage from snoring and sleep better: Learn about SnoreMD here and purchase yours now.
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