Snoring
Definition
Snoring is loud, hoarse, or harsh breathing sounds that happen while you are asleep.
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Overview & Considerations
If you snore, you may have been told that you snore by a partner, roommate, or other person who sleeps nearby. Snoring is very common and is usually not an indication of an underlying disorder.
Sometimes, however, snoring can be a sign of a serious sleep disorder called sleep apnea. This means you have periods when you are not breathing for more than 10 seconds while you sleep. These periods of "apnea" are indicated by a long period of silence just after you have been snoring. They are followed by a sudden snort or gasp when breathing resumes. Then, snoring starts all over again. If you have sleep apnea, this cycle generally happens several times a night.
The major risk from this condition is stroke due to the multiple episodes when your brain is not getting enough oxygen. If sleep apnea is suspected, your doctor (or a sleep specialist) can test you for it by doing a sleep study either at home or in a hospital setting.
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