Snoring is common and often harmless, caused by relaxed throat tissues vibrating during sleep. But loud snoring with pauses in breathing and daytime sleepiness can signal obstructive sleep apnoea, which needs treatment.
Lose excess weight, sleep on your side, avoid alcohol and sedatives before bed, treat a blocked nose, and stop smoking. Persistent loud snoring should be assessed.
Simple snoring usually is not, but loud snoring with pauses in breathing, gasping and daytime sleepiness can be obstructive sleep apnoea, which needs treatment.
Repeated pauses in breathing during sleep that disturb rest and strain the heart. It causes daytime sleepiness and is diagnosed with a sleep study and treated (often with CPAP).
Reviewed by Dr. Sanjay Anbu, MBBS. MedDroid is an AI medical assistant and can make mistakes. It provides general health information, not a diagnosis or medical advice — always consult a qualified clinician. In an emergency, contact your local emergency number immediately.