Snoring is extremely common and often harmless. The sound comes from tissues at the back of the throat vibrating as air passes through a narrowed space during sleep. The question is not whether you snore, but whether your breathing is also being interrupted.

Common reasons people snore

  • Sleeping on the back, which lets the tongue and soft palate fall backwards
  • Nasal blockage from allergies, colds or a deviated nasal septum
  • Extra weight around the neck and throat
  • Alcohol or sedatives close to bedtime, which relax throat muscles
  • Smoking, and a naturally narrow airway or large tonsils

When snoring stops being "just snoring"

Obstructive sleep apnoea happens when the airway repeatedly narrows or closes during sleep. Patterns that deserve an assessment include:

  • Very loud, frequent snoring, especially with pauses in breathing noticed by someone else
  • Waking suddenly with gasping or choking
  • Waking unrefreshed, with a morning headache or dry mouth
  • Falling asleep unintentionally during the day, in meetings or while driving
  • Poor concentration, irritability, or high blood pressure that is hard to control

Who may be at higher risk

Risk is higher with excess weight, a thick neck, increasing age, being male or postmenopausal, a family history, alcohol or sedative use, and nasal or throat narrowing. Having a risk factor does not mean you have sleep apnoea — it means the symptoms are worth taking seriously.

Drowsy driving is dangerous. If you often feel dangerously sleepy, avoid driving or operating machinery until you have been assessed.

What a sleep medicine consultation looks at

The doctor reviews your sleep pattern, snoring and witnessed pauses, daytime symptoms, medicines, alcohol use and other health conditions. A sleep study may be discussed if the history suggests it would help confirm or rule out sleep apnoea. A bed partner's observations, or a short recording, are often very useful to bring.

Patient sources: NHLBI — Sleep apnoea ↗ and NHLBI — Sleep apnoea symptoms ↗

Frequently asked questions

Can I have sleep apnoea without snoring?

Yes, although loud snoring is common. Some people have breathing pauses with little obvious snoring, so daytime sleepiness and witnessed pauses matter too.

Does weight loss help snoring?

For many people who are overweight, losing weight can reduce snoring and may improve sleep apnoea, but it is not the only factor. A clinician can advise on what is relevant to you.

This article is general education and does not replace an examination, diagnosis or treatment plan.