What’s the difference between “normal snoring” and SUS (socially unacceptable snoring)? Nearly everyone snores from time to time. Many of us snore with regularity, also called chronic snoring. Snoring and chronic snoring are generally not harmful.
But, they can be a sign of a deeper problem. This is when they are termed "problematic snoring". Problematic snoring can include the following characteristics:
Socially unacceptable snoring really comes down to this: it’s very disruptive for anyone near you to sleep. Beyond being disruptive, it can be a sign that there are underlying and concerning medical conditions causing the snoring – mainly, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), of which SUS is a primary symptom.
If your snoring is a problem, it’s definitely worth trying to identify if there are underlying problems.
We point out OSA in particular because, for one, there is often such overlap between snoring and OSA, and two, OSA is a serious medical condition that can have significant long-term effects on your health, such as:
Really the best way to stop snoring is to try and figure out what is causing it. On your own, you might try a process of elimination to see if there are simple things you can do to eliminate snoring, such as:
If you try things like this and still can’t seem to quell your snoring, it might be time to consult with a sleep specialist or your doctor where you may discuss things like:
This is the more “formal” discussion in the sense that you may require other intervention for your snoring, such as changing medication or treating sleep apnea (if you were diagnosed with it).
Here are some further facts about snoring, some of which we have already covered:
If you live in Alaska and can’t seem to stop your snoring, and are concerned that it might be caused by an underlying sleep disorder, contact our sleep specialists for a free consultation.