Many people dismiss snoring as just a noisy inconvenience, but when patients in my St. Louis office tell me they snore “really bad,” I always encourage them to take it seriously. Loud or frequent snoring isn’t just disruptive for your partner—it can also be a sign of underlying health issues that deserve attention.

At Sheen Vein (Aesthetics and Functional Medicine), we look at snoring not just as a nighttime annoyance but as a possible clue to circulation, airway, and metabolic health.

What Causes Snoring?

Snoring happens when airflow is partially blocked as it moves through the nose, mouth, or throat during sleep. As air passes through narrowed passages, tissues vibrate, creating the familiar rumbling sound. Occasional snoring is common, but when it’s loud, frequent, or worsening, there may be an underlying problem.

Common Reasons for Severe Snoring

1. Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)

Severe snoring is one of the hallmark symptoms of sleep apnea. In OSA, the airway repeatedly collapses during sleep, causing pauses in breathing. This forces the body to wake up briefly to restart breathing, often without the person realizing it.

Other signs of OSA include:

• Gasping or choking during sleep
• Morning headaches
• Daytime fatigue or brain fog
• High blood pressure

Untreated sleep apnea raises the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and memory decline.

2. Nasal or Airway Obstruction

Blocked nasal passages from allergies, sinus problems, or a deviated septum make it harder to breathe, forcing the mouth to open and increasing snoring.

3. Weight and Neck Circumference

Excess weight, especially around the neck, narrows the airway and increases the likelihood of tissue vibration during sleep. Even a modest weight gain can worsen snoring.

4. Alcohol, Sedatives, or Sleep Position

Alcohol and sedatives relax throat muscles, making airway collapse more likely. Sleeping on the back can also worsen snoring because gravity pulls tissues downward, narrowing the airway.

5. Anatomical Factors

Enlarged tonsils, a long uvula, or weak throat muscles can contribute to loud snoring in both men and women.

Why You Shouldn’t Ignore Severe Snoring

Bad snoring isn’t just about noise—it often signals that your body is working harder to breathe at night. Over time, this can lead to:

• Poor sleep quality and daytime exhaustion
• Increased risk of high blood pressure and heart disease
• Insulin resistance and weight gain
• Strain on relationships due to disrupted sleep for both partners

Because snoring is often linked to sleep apnea and circulation issues, it’s important not to ignore it.

What You Can Do If You Snore Badly

Lifestyle Approaches

• Change sleep position: Sleeping on your side may reduce snoring compared to sleeping on your back.
• Lose excess weight: Even small amounts of weight loss can improve airway space.
• Limit alcohol before bed: Avoid drinking within 3–4 hours of sleep.
• Maintain nasal health: Saline rinses, allergy treatment, or addressing sinus congestion can improve airflow.

Medical and Functional Medicine Support

At Sheen Vein (Aesthetics and Functional Medicine), we take a whole-person approach:

• Sleep evaluations: If sleep apnea is suspected, we recommend testing to confirm.
• Hormone balance: Low testosterone, thyroid issues, and cortisol imbalances can worsen weight and airway health.
• Nutrient optimization: Magnesium and vitamin D support muscle tone and sleep quality.
• Weight and metabolic health programs: Addressing insulin resistance and obesity helps reduce airway narrowing.

Advanced Aesthetic and Regenerative Therapies

• Laser airway tightening (Fotona NightLase®): A non-invasive laser treatment that strengthens collagen in the airway, reducing tissue collapse and improving airflow.
• Red light therapy with PEMF: Improves circulation and reduces inflammation, supporting better sleep quality.

Learn more about our laser and functional medicine services.

When to Seek Professional Help

You should seek medical evaluation if:

• Your snoring is loud and nightly
• You stop breathing, gasp, or choke during sleep
• You wake up with headaches or sore throat
• You feel exhausted despite 7–8 hours of sleep
• You have high blood pressure or other cardiovascular risks

These are strong signs that your snoring is more than just a nuisance—it may be a medical condition requiring treatment.

Final Thoughts

Snoring may seem harmless, but when it’s severe, it’s often a red flag for sleep apnea, circulation problems, or metabolic imbalance. The good news is that there are many ways to reduce snoring and improve your health, from simple lifestyle changes to advanced therapies.

At Sheen Vein (Aesthetics and Functional Medicine) in St. Louis, we combine functional medicine with innovative treatments like laser airway therapy to help patients sleep better, breathe better, and feel more energized during the day.

👉 If your snoring is keeping you—or your partner—awake, call our office today to schedule a consultation and get to the root cause.

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