Snoring

Common signs

These descriptions can help you understand and record what you notice. They cannot establish a diagnosis on their own.

• loud breathing during sleep +

  Snoring loud enough to be heard through a closed door, or that drives a partner to earplugs, points to noticeably narrowed airflow. Notice whether it happens every night and whether it gets worse on your back.

• gasping +

  A bed partner may notice breathing that stops for several seconds and resumes with a snort, or you may wake up choking or startled. This pattern can indicate a sleep-breathing problem and is worth a professional sleep evaluation.

• morning headache +

  Waking with a dry mouth that needs water right away, or a dull, heavy headache, often tracks with mouth breathing and poor overnight oxygen. If it happens most mornings, pay attention to overall sleep quality.

• daytime sleepiness +

  Drowsiness that is hard to fight off — in meetings, while reading, even after a full night in bed. If it keeps affecting your days, take a closer look at how restful your nights really are.