We all know how important a good night’s sleep is. So, if you snore every once in awhile, it can definitely be annoying to your bed partner. Most of the time, though, occasional or light snoring is normal and is nothing to be alarmed about.¹  

But if you snore loudly, it could be a sign of sleep apnea. This sleep disorder causes breathing problems that disrupt sleep. Sleep apnea can also make you feel extra tired during the day, even if you’ve gotten a full night’s rest. The risk of developing obstructive sleep apnea increases with age until you reach your 60s or 70s.² 

Sleep apnea can be bad for your health, explains Mark Zaetta, MD, associate medical director at Optum Arizona in Tucson. “More and more we’re noticing an association between sleep apnea and heart and neurologic conditions, like stroke and Alzheimer’s,” he says.  

Because snoring can be a sign of something serious, it’s a good idea to pay attention to it. Find out how to tell the difference between snoring and sleep apnea, when to talk to a doctor, and what treatment might look like.  

Why people snore 

Snoring occurs when there’s an obstruction in your airway as you sleep. Several different factors can cause this, including a decrease in muscle tone. A blockage in your airway causes the tissues to vibrate against each other as air moves through and produces those whistling, vibrating or rumbling sounds.³  

All sorts of things can trigger snoring, including:³ 

• Getting older. Airways shrink because muscle tone gets weaker, so air can’t flow as easily. 
• Your family history. If one of your parents snores, chances are you might too. 
• Your gender. Men tend to snore more than women. 
• Drinking alcohol, which can relax the muscles in your throat, causing you to snore. 
• Having a big tongue or tonsils or enlarged adenoids. These can block airflow.  
• Sleeping on your back. 
• Being overweight or obese. 

How sleep apnea is different than regular snoring 

Snoring is one of the most common symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea.¹ And there are clues that your snoring could be caused by it, Dr. Zaetta says. First, you not only snore when you sleep on your back but also in every other position. Second, you snore so loudly that your partner has to leave the room and sleep elsewhere. Or your partner tells you that you gasp as you sleep. “That’s something that probably needs to be looked at,” says Dr. Zaetta. 

If you do have sleep apnea, you’re not alone. About 30 million people in the United States have the disorder, according to the American Medical Association. ⁴ Still, the vast majority of people are undiagnosed. 

When you have sleep apnea, your breathing pauses and starts up again while you sleep.⁵ Those pauses in breathing interrupt the oxygen flowing into your body and cause the level of carbon dioxide in your blood to rise, explains Dr. Zaetta. When the level is high enough, it triggers the brain to wake up briefly.  

This can happen many times through the night, though you might not be aware of it. But all those brief pauses can take a toll on the quality of your sleep, as well as your health.  

If left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to serious health complications. These include heart arrythmias (irregular heartbeat), high blood pressure, stroke and daytime drowsiness (which can cause accidents).⁶ That’s why it’s so important to get a diagnosis and get treatment.  

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The symptoms of sleep apnea 

These can be different than regular snoring and include things a partner might mention or you might notice yourself:^{7, 8} 

• Breathing that starts and stops during sleep 
• Loud snoring  
• Gasping for air during sleep 
• Feeling exhausted during the day 
• Difficulty focusing or learning things 
• Dry mouth 
• Headaches 
• Waking up often during the night to urinate 

Dr. Zaetta has noticed that sleep apnea patients typically complain of daytime tiredness or sleeping at odd times of the day. “People might fall asleep in a movie theater,” he says. “I’ve even had patients who have difficulty driving because if they’re stopped too long at a red light, they will doze off.”  

How sleep apnea is diagnosed 

Even if you’re quiet at night, you may still have sleep apnea, especially if you have any of the other non-snoring signs. “In my practice, a lot of sleep apnea is detected because of daytime fatigue,” says Dr. Zaetta.  

The first step is going to your primary care doctor. Your provider will ask you about symptoms, medications you take, whether sleep apnea runs in your family and your medical history. They may order blood tests to see if there’s a condition that could be triggering poor sleep, such as a thyroid disorder.⁹ 

Then your doctor might order a sleep study, which can be done in a sleep lab or at home.² At either place, you’ll be hooked up by sensors to a device that records sleep data, including how many times you stop and start breathing. A doctor analyzes the record to confirm the diagnosis, Dr. Zaetta explains. 

Your doctor will tell you whether the sleep apnea is mild, moderate or severe. They’ll also be able to tell if you have obstructive sleep apnea (the most common type) or central sleep apnea. That’s when your brain doesn’t send the signals you need to breathe.⁵  

How sleep apnea is treated 

Once you know you have sleep apnea, you can start getting help. Treatment for obstructive sleep apnea includes: 

Lifestyle changes: “For mild or moderate sleep apnea, lifestyle changes may be enough to treat the condition,” says Dr. Zaetta. Your doctor might suggest:^{8, 10} 

• Lose excess weight 
• Get regular physical activity 
• Avoid caffeine or alcohol, which can worsen sleep apnea. 
• Quit smoking, since smoking cigarettes raises the risk of sleep apnea. 
• Avoid back sleeping. You can do this by sleeping propped up by pillows or sewing a tennis ball onto the back of your PJs, says Dr. Zaetta.  

CPAP machine: This machine provides continuous airway pressure to keep your upper airways open while you sleep.¹⁰ Some people are reluctant to wear a CPAP machine at night, but you might not find it so bad, notes Dr. Zaetta. “We’ve come a long way in fitting, customizable masks, and having more portable, less noisy machines. These are not like they used to be,” he says.  

Dental devices: If you can’t get used to a CPAP machine, your doctor may refer you to a dentist. They can custom fit a special mouthpiece that helps keep your airway open while you sleep.⁸ 

Of course, the first step is seeing your provider. At Optum, your health care team can help you figure out if your snoring is a serious problem. Then they can get you the help you need, so you can finally get the rest you’ve been dreaming about. 

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