Symptoms of snoring

The main symptom of snoring is a harsh or rattling sound during sleep, but the pattern and the other symptoms say a lot about whether it is simple snoring or something more serious.

Signs of simple snoring

• Noise that is soft to moderate, mainly on the back or after alcohol or a cold
• Snoring that stops when the person turns on one side
• No pauses in breathing and no daytime sleepiness

Signs that suggest sleep apnea or another problem

• Loud snoring, nightly, that disturbs others
• Pauses in breathing, followed by gasping or choking, noticed by a partner
• Waking with a dry mouth, sore throat or headache
• Daytime sleepiness, poor concentration or irritability
• Restless sleep, night sweats and frequent urination at night
• High blood pressure that is hard to control
• Morning tiredness despite a full night in bed

In children

• Regular snoring, mouth breathing and restless sleep
• Daytime hyperactivity, poor attention, bedwetting or poor growth
• Large tonsils on examination

Effects on the partner Poor sleep, tiredness and relationship strain are common. The partner's observations are very useful to the doctor.

Ayurvedic view (interpretive) Texts describe noisy breathing in sleep as linked to Kapha and Vata. This is traditional language and does not diagnose a sleep disorder.

When to see a doctor Seek advice for snoring with breathing pauses, severe daytime sleepiness, morning headaches, chest pain or snoring in a child. Call 112 for breathlessness or chest pain.

Remember Snoring plus pauses and sleepiness is a reason for a sleep test, not for home remedies alone.