When Is Snoring a Sign of Sleep Apnea?
Snoring doesn’t necessarily mean you have sleep apnea. Most people snore from time to time, and snoring may have few or no health consequences (though it may be annoying for a bed partner). However, it’s important to distinguish between snoring and sleep apnea, as sleep apnea does have health consequences. Snoring comes from a partially obstructed airway, while sleep apnea is a disorder involving breathing interruptions that interfere with sleep.
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common type of sleep apnea. It happens when the soft tissue in the back of your throat relaxes too much during sleep and blocks your airway. You briefly wake up—often without realizing it—to reopen the airway.
Did You Know?
- In 2025, more than 30 million people have sleep apnea in the United States, according to the American Medical Association.
- Men are two times as likely as women to have OSA.
- Obesity is a risk factor. About 60-70% of sleep apnea cases are linked to obesity.
Signs of Sleep Apnea
Typical symptoms of OSA include:
- Gasping, choking, or snorting sounds during sleep or when waking up
- Episodes when the breathing stops and starts, but another person needs to observe this
- Difficulty concentrating or remembering things
- Fitful or restless sleep
- Waking up with headaches
- Frequent nighttime urination
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
If left untreated, sleep apnea can result in a higher risk for:
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease and stroke
- Type 2 diabetes
- Memory problems, depression, and other conditions
Determining if You Have Sleep Apnea
First talk to your healthcare professional if you have symptoms of sleep apnea that leaves you very tired, sleepy during the day, and irritable.
To properly diagnose sleep apnea, you need to participate in a sleep study, either in a sleep lab or at home. In the sleep lab, a set of sensors track key information, including your sleep stages, heart rate, breathing rate, brain waves, and muscle activity. The results show the number of breathing disruptions you have while you sleep. This is used to diagnose and rate the severity of any sleep apnea detected.
What to Do for Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is common and treatable. Talk to your physician about available treatment options. Treatment depends on the type and severity, and may include:
- Lifestyle changes like weight loss or avoiding alcohol and sedatives
- CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) therapy to keep your airway open while you sleep
- Inspire® therapy: A small, implanted device gently stimulates your airway muscles to keep you breathing at night without a mask
- Surgery to correct airway blockages
If it’s determined you have sleep apnea, don’t despair. There are many steps you can take to help alleviate or resolve the problem.
At Family Ear Nose and Throat, our team provides expert hearing aid services for the people of Kittery and New Castle.