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Sleep apnoea
How do I know if my snoring is sleep apnoea?
What to look out for, and when to ask for a test.
Dr Allie Hare · October 2026 · 4 min read
Snoring is common, and on its own it is often harmless. But snoring can also be a sign of obstructive sleep apnoea, a condition in which the airway narrows or closes during sleep. Understanding which applies to you is the essential first step.
What is the difference?
Snoring happens when air moving through a narrowed airway makes the soft tissues of the throat vibrate. In sleep apnoea, the airway closes for a short time and breathing briefly stops, before the brain rouses you just enough to reopen it. Most people have no memory of this.
Signs that it may be sleep apnoea
- Pauses in breathing noticed by a partner
- Waking with a dry mouth, sore throat or headache
- Sleepiness in the day, however long you sleep
- Waking often in the night, including to pass urine
- Difficulty concentrating, low mood or irritability
When should you ask for a test?
If you snore and feel exhausted by day, it is worth having this looked at, especially if a partner has noticed pauses in your breathing. A home sleep study can often answer the question, in your own bed.
Why does it matter?
Left untreated, sleep apnoea is linked with high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes, and with accidents caused by tiredness. With the right diagnosis and support, it can be managed.
“Many of my patients have spent years feeling exhausted without ever knowing why.”
Dr Allie Hare
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