Snoring: when to assess for sleep apnoea
Snoring alone does not diagnose sleep apnoea. Breathing pauses and daytime sleepiness call for assessment, not just reducing the noise.
Look beyond the noise
Sleep apnoea can cause breathing to stop and start repeatedly during sleep. Loud snoring, waking gasping and marked daytime sleepiness may occur together. Not everyone who snores has apnoea; observations from someone close to you can help assessment.
What to share at the consultation
- Breathing pauses, waking gasping, morning headaches and daytime dozing.
- Sleep duration, medicines, alcohol and nasal obstruction.
- In children, attention, behaviour, bedwetting or school difficulties alongside snoring.
Diagnosis and treatment are different
After assessment, a clinician may recommend a sleep study. For suitable people, CPAP supports breathing with pressurised air through a mask; it is not surgery. Oral devices or surgery are considered only in selected circumstances. Confirm separately which tests and treatments the hospital provides.
Safe sleep advice depends on age
Side sleeping and reducing alcohol may help some adults; do not stop prescribed medicines yourself. Do not apply adult advice to babies: place babies on their backs on a firm, flat sleep surface without pillows or wedges. Do not drive or use dangerous machinery when sleepy; seek assessment.
When to seek help
Arrange assessment for repeated breathing pauses and daytime sleepiness; do not delay with snoring products alone. If someone cannot be woken or is not breathing normally, do not assume ordinary snoring: call 112 and follow the operator’s instructions.
Information sources
These sources support general information; they do not confirm our hospital’s services or clinical approval.
This information is general and does not replace individual diagnosis or treatment advice. Discuss your own situation with your healthcare team.
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