Why do we snore, and is all snoring dangerous?
During sleep the muscles of the throat relax. When the airway narrows, the soft palate, the uvula and the surrounding tissues vibrate as air passes through; that vibration is the sound we hear. Snoring now and then with a cold, after an evening drink or when very tired is common.
It becomes a problem when snoring stops being just a noise and starts to break up sleep. If the airway does not simply narrow but closes completely, breathing stops for several seconds, the oxygen level in the blood falls and the brain briefly wakes the sleeper without them noticing. This cycle can repeat many times a night.
Which symptoms suggest that snoring is serious?
We recommend an assessment if snoring comes with one or more of the following:
- A partner or family member has noticed that your breathing stops during sleep
- Waking up choking, gasping or coughing
- Loud snoring every night, whatever position you sleep in
- Feeling unrefreshed despite enough hours in bed
- Nodding off in meetings, in front of the television or while driving
- Morning headaches and a dry mouth
- Getting up to pass urine several times a night
- Forgetfulness, poor concentration, irritability
- High blood pressure that is hard to control despite medication
Most of these signs go unnoticed by the person themselves, which is why a bed partner's observations are among the most useful information we have at the examination.
Simple snoring or sleep apnoea: what is the difference?
The two cannot be told apart with certainty from symptoms alone; the diagnosis is made with a sleep study. The table below gives a rough orientation:
| Feature | Simple snoring | Suggests sleep apnoea |
|---|---|---|
| Pattern | Occasional, mild | Every night, loud, interrupted |
| Breathing pauses | Not observed | Witnessed pauses followed by a loud gasp |
| On waking | Rested | Tired, headache |
| During the day | No marked sleepiness | Dozing off, poor concentration |
| Main impact | Partner's sleep | Sleep quality and general health |
Sleep apnoea is not limited to overweight, middle-aged men. In women the risk rises especially after the menopause, and symptoms may show up as tiredness or insomnia rather than loud snoring.
Why does untreated sleep apnoea matter?
Repeated drops in oxygen and constant interruptions to sleep affect the whole body. Moderate and severe sleep apnoea are associated with high blood pressure, heart rhythm disorders, cardiovascular disease and stroke. Daytime sleepiness reduces performance at work and increases the risk of road and workplace accidents.
So snoring should not be dismissed as a habit that only bothers your partner. If warning signs are present, the cause is worth investigating; once a diagnosis is made, appropriate treatment aims to reduce these risks.
When does snoring matter in children?
Short periods of snoring during a cold are common in children. However, a child who snores on most nights, sleeps with the mouth open, has pauses in breathing, or sleeps restlessly and sweats a lot should be examined. In children, sleep apnoea often shows up not as sleepiness but as hyperactivity, attention problems, falling school performance or bedwetting. The most common cause is enlarged adenoids and tonsils.
When to see a doctor
If you recognise any of the warning signs above, we recommend an ENT examination. Do not wait in particular if you have:
- Fallen asleep at the wheel, or had an accident or near miss due to drowsiness
- A partner who regularly sees long pauses in your breathing
- Heart disease, an irregular heartbeat or poorly controlled blood pressure together with snoring
At the examination Dr. Özlem Yüksel Coşar assesses the whole upper airway, from the nose to the base of the tongue, and arranges a sleep study (polysomnography) where needed. The sleep study shows whether sleep apnoea is present and how severe it is. You can read more about the stepwise approach and treatment options on our snoring and sleep apnoea treatment page, and questions such as whether snoring always needs surgery are answered in our frequently asked questions.
There are a few simple steps you can take in the meantime: avoiding alcohol in the evening, starting to lose weight if you are overweight, and trying to sleep on your side. These can reduce snoring in some people, but they are no substitute for an examination if warning signs are present.
Snoring is not a disease in itself, but it is sometimes the first sign of a more important problem. We assess whether your snoring is simple or linked to sleep apnoea through examination and, where needed, a sleep study, and plan treatment step by step around your findings and expectations. Consultations can be held in English, and patients travelling to Izmir can usually continue follow-up by video call.
The information on this page is for general guidance only and does not replace diagnosis or treatment. The right treatment for you can only be decided after an examination, and results vary from person to person.