Snoring is the vibration of respiratory structures and the resulting sound, due to obstructed air movement during breathing while sleeping. In some cases the sound may be soft, but in other cases, it can be rather loud and quite unpleasant. The irregular airflow is caused by a passageway blockage and usually due to:

- Throat weakness
- Mispositioned jaw (tension muscles)
- Fat gathering around the throat
- Obstruction in the nasal passageway
- Tissues at the top if airways touching each other causing vibrations.
- Relaxants such as alcohol or drugs relaxing throat muscles
- Sleeping on one’s back

Snoring is known to cause sleep deprivation to snorers and those around them, as well as daytime drowsiness, irritability, lack of focus and decreased libido. It has also been suggested that it can cause significant psychological and social damage to sufferers. Usually, snoring is recognized by a friend or partner who observes the patient sleeping.  A sleep study can identify a more complex condition such as sleep apnea, which can be one of the symptoms of snoring.