Adults who snore

Abstract

Snoring is a common finding in adults and may signal sleep-disordered breathing. Careful history taking and physical examination may identify patients who require polysomnography. Any snoring that is disruptive to a patient's life or accompanied by symptoms suggesting obstructive sleep apnea requires further evaluation. Ambulatory polysomnography may be adequate in asymptomatic snorers (i.e., those without witnessed apneic episodes, daytime sleepiness, or significant associated disease processes) who seek treatment for social reasons. Split-night testing is a promising diagnostic protocol for symptomatic snorers. All snorers benefit from instruction on behavior modification. The best treatment option (fitting of an oral appliance, surgical intervention, CPAP) depends on whether apneic episodes accompany snoring and on patient preference. More studies are needed to determine the most reliable and cost-effective approach to symptomatic snoring.