Snoring or Sleep Apnea? How to Tell When to Get Checked
This page is general information. It is not medical advice. Talk to your clinician about your own health. If you have chest pain, signs of a stroke or severe trouble breathing, call 911 or go to an emergency room.
Lots of people snore. Not everyone who snores has sleep apnea. But snoring is also the most common sign of sleep apnea, so it is worth knowing the difference. This guide cannot diagnose you. It can help you decide when to ask a clinician.
What Snoring Is
Cleveland Clinic describes snoring as a rumbling, snorting or harsh rattling sound made during sleep. It comes from airflow that is partly blocked. Occasional snoring is usually harmless.
Common Causes of Snoring
Cleveland Clinic lists a mix of causes.
- Age related loss of muscle tone
- Enlarged tonsils or adenoids
- A deviated septum or a stuffy nose
- Alcohol
- Extra weight
- Sleeping on your back
- Family history
What Makes Sleep Apnea Different
In obstructive sleep apnea, NHLBI says the upper airway becomes blocked many times while you sleep. Breathing can stop and start. Cleveland Clinic says loud, frequent snoring with breathing pauses may point to sleep apnea, along with daytime fatigue, headaches or gasping in your sleep.
So the sound is not the whole picture. The pauses, the gasping and how you feel the next day matter more.
Signs to Take Seriously
NHLBI lists these signs during sleep and while awake.
- Breathing that starts and stops, or gasping for air
- Loud snoring
- Heavy sleepiness or fatigue in the day
- Dry mouth or morning headaches
- Waking often at night to urinate
Many people never notice the night signs themselves. A partner often does. NHLBI also says fatigue, headaches and insomnia are more common in women with sleep apnea, and snoring is more often reported in men. So a lack of loud snoring does not rule it out.
Children Too
NHLBI says children may show different signs. These include hyperactivity, bedwetting, worse asthma and trouble focusing at school. If you see these along with snoring, tell your child’s doctor.
What You Can Try at Home
Cleveland Clinic lists changing your sleep position, cutting back on alcohol and keeping a healthy weight as simple steps. Allergy or cold medicine may help if a stuffy nose is the cause. These steps are fine to discuss, but they do not replace a test if you have warning signs.
The CDC also reminds adults to get seven or more hours of sleep. Poor sleep quality, like waking often or feeling tired after enough hours, is a reason to see a provider.
When to See a Clinician
- Your snoring is loud and frequent and a partner sees breathing pauses.
- You wake up tired most days even after a full night in bed.
- You fall asleep when you do not mean to, like when driving.
- Snoring is keeping you or someone else from sleeping.
Cleveland Clinic says a provider can tell snoring from sleep apnea through an exam and, if needed, a sleep study. For chest pain, stroke signs or severe trouble breathing, get emergency care.
A Quick Note Before You Buy Anything
Ads for snoring gadgets are everywhere. Cleveland Clinic does list nasal strips and oral appliances among the devices people use for snoring. But if you have pauses in breathing, gasping or heavy daytime sleepiness, a gadget is not a diagnosis. Get checked first, then pick a device with your clinician’s guidance.
How to Talk to a Partner About It
If a partner snores, it helps to start with care, not blame. Say what you have noticed, like pauses or gasping, and say you are worried. Offer to help them find a clinic. Many people put off care until someone close to them pushes. A calm talk and a phone number can be the nudge that gets a sleep study scheduled.
If you are the one who snores, you can ask your partner to jot down what they hear for a few nights. A short note like the time, the sound and any pauses is useful to bring to a clinician.
One last point. Do not wait for a perfect moment. If you drive while sleepy, or you fall asleep in meetings, that is already a safety problem. Tell a clinician soon. A short visit now is easier than dealing with a bad health surprise later, and most of the first steps are simple conversations and testing.
Finding Someone to Ask
If you decide to get checked, our directory lists sleep apnea providers by state and city. Our guide on the signs you should be tested goes deeper on what counts. We do not give medical advice and a listing is not a referral.
Common Questions
Does everyone who snores have sleep apnea?
No. Cleveland Clinic says snoring does not automatically mean sleep apnea, though it is the most common symptom. Breathing pauses, gasping and daytime tiredness make it more worrying. A clinician can tell the difference with an exam and sometimes a sleep study.
Can a woman have sleep apnea without loud snoring?
Yes, it is possible. NHLBI says fatigue, headaches and insomnia are more common in women with sleep apnea, while snoring is more often reported in men. If you feel worn out every day, ask a clinician about it.
Keep Reading
- Signs you should be tested
- Home sleep test or a night in the lab
- Find a provider with our lookup
- Sleep apnea providers in Westerville
- Sleep apnea providers in Cleveland
- Sleep apnea providers in Michigan
Sources
NightWells publishes information, not medical advice. Nothing here replaces being seen by a clinician who can examine you.
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