What causes heavy breathing sounds during sleep?

Heavy breathing sounds during sleep may be caused by excessively dry air, improper sleeping posture, atrophic rhinitis, tonsillar hypertrophy, nasal polyps, or other reasons. It is recommended to seek medical attention promptly, identify the underlying cause, and receive symptomatic treatment under the guidance of a professional physician. Specific analyses are as follows:

1. Excessively Dry Air

If the indoor temperature is high or the surrounding environment is overly dry during sleep, it may lead to dryness of the nasal mucosa, causing nasal congestion and heavy breathing sounds. It is recommended to use a humidifier in the bedroom and drink more water to help maintain moisture in the nasal passages.

2. Improper Sleeping Posture

Bending or twisting the neck during sleep may compress the airway, making breathing difficult and resulting in louder breathing sounds. It is advisable to adjust sleeping posture—sleeping supine (on the back) and using a pillow of appropriate height can help avoid airway compression.

3. Atrophic Rhinitis

This condition may be related to deficiencies in essential nutrients or exposure to dry environments. It can prevent normal drainage of nasal secretions, leading to accumulation within the nasal cavity, obstructed airflow, and consequently heavy breathing sounds during sleep. Symptoms may also include nasal crusts and pain. Patients are advised to use medications such as Rhinitis Kang Tablets, Xiangju Capsules, or Budesonide Nasal Spray under medical supervision to alleviate symptoms.

4. Tonsillar Hypertrophy

This may result from congenital development or acute inflammation. Enlarged tonsils can narrow the pharyngeal cavity; if the enlargement is significant, breathing sounds may become coarse, snoring may occur, and symptoms such as sore throat or a foreign body sensation in the throat may accompany. Patients should follow medical advice to take medications such as Amoxicillin Capsules, Levofloxacin Hydrochloride Capsules, or Cefaclor Sustained-Release Tablets. For congenital cases, surgical treatments such as low-temperature plasma radiofrequency ablation, adenoidectomy, or tonsillectomy may be recommended.

5. Nasal Polyps

These may be caused by ciliary dysfunction in the nasal cavity or allergic reactions. When polypoid lesions develop in the nasal cavity and grow in size, they may block the nostrils, impairing breathing and leading to heavy breathing sounds during sleep. Other symptoms may include runny nose and reduced sense of smell. Patients should follow medical instructions to use medications such as Roxithromycin Capsules, Mometasone Furoate Nasal Spray, or Compound Triamcinolone Acetonide Acetate Solution for treatment.

In daily life, it is recommended to listen to soothing music before bedtime and regularly engage in aerobic exercises such as swimming or jogging, which may help improve breathing patterns.