Is It Snoring or Is It Sleep Apnea?

Common Causes of Snoring

As a person drifts into sleep, a variety of changes happen in the body that affect breathing. Muscles in the head and neck naturally relax, the airway narrows, and a sleeper no longer consciously controls their breathing. Normally these natural changes don’t cause problems. Sometimes though, the airway can become too narrow Trusted Source UpToDate More than 2 million healthcare providers around the world choose UpToDate to help make appropriate care decisions and drive better health outcomes. UpToDate delivers evidence-based clinical decision support that is clear, actionable, and rich with real-world insights. View Source and cause snoring or obstructive sleep apnea.

Snoring occurs when the airway is narrow enough that tissues flutter against each other during breathing. Numerous factors can contribute to airway narrowing and increase the risk of snoring. These include:

• Being over 50 years old Trusted Source Merck Manual First published in 1899 as a small reference book for physicians and pharmacists, the Manual grew in size and scope to become one of the most widely used comprehensive medical resources for professionals and consumers. View Source
• Sleeping on the back 
• Having certain physical features 
• Obesity 
• Nasal congestion or inflammation in the airway
• Pregnancy 
• Certain medications Trusted Source Medline Plus MedlinePlus is an online health information resource for patients and their families and friends. View Source
• Alcohol and tobacco 

Many of these same factors increase the risk of developing obstructive sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the airway narrows so much that it becomes prone to collapsing or becoming blocked during the night.

Is Your Snoring a Symptom of Sleep Apnea? 

Snoring is a symptom that may or may not be observed by the affected individual or their bedparter. While loud and persistent snoring is often associated with obstructive sleep apnea, not everyone with OSA snores loudly or continuously Trusted Source Medline Plus MedlinePlus is an online health information resource for patients and their families and friends. View Source . In adults, other signs and symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea may include: 

• Pauses in breathing during sleep 
• Feeling sleepy during the day or falling asleep during activities 
• Gasping or choking when waking up 
• Recurrent morning headaches 

Symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea often appear differently in children Trusted Source UpToDate More than 2 million healthcare providers around the world choose UpToDate to help make appropriate care decisions and drive better health outcomes. UpToDate delivers evidence-based clinical decision support that is clear, actionable, and rich with real-world insights. View Source . In addition to persistent nighttime snoring, children may exhibit Trusted Source UpToDate More than 2 million healthcare providers around the world choose UpToDate to help make appropriate care decisions and drive better health outcomes. UpToDate delivers evidence-based clinical decision support that is clear, actionable, and rich with real-world insights. View Source oppositional or challenging behaviors, have asthma that is difficult to control, or develop high blood pressure.

Take Our Quiz to Know Your Sleep Apnea Risk

If you’re still not sure if you have sleep apnea, we encourage you to take our short quiz below to understand whether you may be affected.

Having trouble sleeping?

Take this quiz to find out if you’re at risk of having sleep apnea.

On average, how many hours a night did you sleep in the last month?

1-3 hours

3+ hours

4+ hours

5+ hours

6+ hours

7+ hours

8+ hours

9+ hours

Do you often wake up in the middle of the night and have trouble falling back asleep?

Never

Rarely

Sometimes

Often

Always

How would you describe your sleep quality?

Very poor

Poor

Normal

Good

Very good

Do you feel rested when you first wake up in the morning?

I never feel rested

I rarely feel rested

I sometimes feel rested

I often feel rested

I always feel rested

Do you snore when you sleep?

I never snore

I rarely snore

I sometimes snore

I often snore

I always snore

Do you awaken short of breath or with a headache in the morning?

Never

Rarely

Sometimes

Often

Always

Hidden

HST Index

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Based on your answers, you may have sleep apnea risk

Sleep apnea is a breathing disorder that causes repeated lapses in breathing during sleep. Symptoms can include snoring, headaches, and excessive sleepiness. Sleep apnea can be diagnosed using an at-home test.

Given your risk level, consider our At-Home Sleep Apnea Test to get an official diagnosis today.

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At-Home Sleep Apnea Test

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Will Treating Sleep Apnea Reduce Snoring?

For people diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, treatment for nighttime breathing problems should reduce or eliminate snoring Trusted Source UpToDate More than 2 million healthcare providers around the world choose UpToDate to help make appropriate care decisions and drive better health outcomes. UpToDate delivers evidence-based clinical decision support that is clear, actionable, and rich with real-world insights. View Source . The most common treatment for obstructive sleep apnea is positive airway pressure (PAP) delivered through a CPAP machine or similar device. A CPAP machine typically eliminates both snoring and obstructive sleep apnea by using air pressure to keep the airway open during sleep. 

Research shows that other treatments for obstructive sleep apnea can also reduce snoring, including the use of an oral appliance, surgery, and lifestyle changes like changing medications and reducing alcohol consumption. 

When to See a Doctor

Anyone concerned about snoring or sleep apnea should speak with a doctor, especially if snoring is accompanied by pauses in breathing during sleep or daytime tiredness. It is also important to contact a doctor if snoring occurs alongside weight gain or changes in thinking or memory.

Many people are unaware of changes in their breathing during sleep. For this reason, it may be helpful to ask bed partners, roommates, and others if they have noticed loud snoring or other symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea.

Doctors can assess snoring and other symptoms, prescribe tests to diagnose sleep apnea, and recommend appropriate treatment.