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All simple snoring of any severity.
Simple snoring should not be referred as there is currently no effective evidence based treatment.
Most adults snore intermittently, 24% of men and 14% of women are habitual snorers.
Snoring is predominantly, but not exclusively a weight related condition.
As many as 50% patients referred to snoring clinics do not have significant symptoms.
Marital disharmony frequently masquerades as a snoring problem.
The partner's sleep patterns may be the real problem.
Snoring may be a symptom of other pathology which requires further investigation and treatments.
Related policies and guidelines:
Symptoms or signs suggestive of oropharyngeal neoplasm e.g.: unilateral tonsil and tongue enlargement.
Referral is not indicated for simple snoring unless there are features that raise concern of more serious pathology.
Occasionally enlarged tonsils can cause snoring, and surgery may help.
Nasal pathology needs to be excluded. Look for:
If allergic rhinitis or nasal polyps are suspected, a topical nasal steroid spray for 3 months should be tried.
Nasal alar collapse may be treated with nasal paper strips.
Referral is not indicated for simple snoring unless there are features that raise concern of more serious pathology when a referral to ENT could be considered:
Hypersomnolence with no OSA – consider referral to neurology
e-Referral Service Selection
e-Referral Service Selection
Adult Snoring Surgery (in the absence of OSA) commissioning policy
This guideline has been signed off on behalf of NHS Devon.
Publication date: March 2019