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Is It Snoring or Is It Sleep Apnea?

Updated October 24, 2023

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Table of Contents

Common Causes of Snoring
Is Your Snoring a Symptom of Sleep Apnea?
Will Treating Sleep Apnea Reduce Snoring?
When to See a Doctor

While almost everyone snores on occasion, persistent snoring may be a sign of obstructive sleep apnea, a common breathing condition that affects around 30 million people in the United States. Distinguishing between snoring and obstructive sleep apnea is essential because, if left untreated, sleep apnea can have long-term effects on a person’s health and quality of life.

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 Health Risk?

Answer three questions to take charge of troubled sleep.

Snore loudly?

Tired during the day?

Wake up short of breath?

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.

“The presence of snoring deserves to be looked into since it could be a red flag of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Many treatments are available for both snoring and OSA, and determining what you are dealing with is the first step to ensuring your long-term health and well-being are protected.”

Dr. Audrey Wells, Sleep Physician, CPAP Expert

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.

Written By

Rob Newsom, Staff Writer

Rob writes about the intersection of sleep and mental health and previously worked at the National Cancer Institute.

Medically Reviewed by

Dr. Audrey Wells, Sleep Medicine Physician, CPAP Expert MD

Audrey Wells, MD attended University of Michigan Medical School and went on to train at Washington University School of Medicine in pediatrics and pediatric pulmonary medicine. It was during this time that she developed a specific interest in adult and pediatric sleep medicine. She returned to her home state of New Mexico to complete a sleep medicine fellowship.

Learn more about our Editorial Team

References
7 Sources

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https://www.uptodate.com/contents/pathophysiology-of-upper-airway-obstruction-in-obstructive-sleep-apnea-in-adults
Schwab, R. J. (2022, May). Snoring. Merck Manual Consumer Version., Retrieved September 23, 2023, from
https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/brain,-spinal-cord,-and-nerve-disorders/sleep-disorders/snoring
A.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia. (2023, July 8). Snoring – adults. MedlinePlus., Retrieved September 23, 2023, from
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000720.htm
A.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia. (2023, January 9). Obstructive sleep apnea – adults. MedlinePlus., Retrieved September 23, 2023, from
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000811.htm
Paruthi, S. (2023, October 13). Evaluation of suspected obstructive sleep apnea in children. In R. Chervin & A. Hoppin (Ed.). UpToDate., Retrieved October 23, 2023, from
https://www.uptodate.com/contents/evaluation-of-suspected-obstructive-sleep-apnea-in-children
Wise, M. & Tapia, I. (2023, September 13). Assessment of sleep disorders in children. In R. Chervin & A. Hoppin (Ed.). UpToDate., Retrieved September 23, 2023, from
https://www.uptodate.com/contents/assessment-of-sleep-disorders-in-children
Brown, L. & Lee, W. (2023 September). Titration of positive airway pressure therapy for adults with obstructive sleep apnea. In N. Collup & G. Finley (Ed.). UpToDate., Retrieved September 23, 2023, from
https://www.uptodate.com/contents/titration-of-positive-airway-pressure-therapy-for-adults-with-obstructive-sleep-apnea