Is your snoring keeping your partner awake at night? Or do you wake up feeling exhausted despite getting a full night’s sleep? These might be signs of sleep apnea, a serious condition that affects millions of people worldwide. While occasional snoring might seem harmless, understanding when it signals a more serious problem could be crucial for your health.
Understanding Snoring vs. Sleep Apnea
While many people snore occasionally, there’s an important distinction between simple snoring and sleep apnea. Snoring occurs when air movement becomes partially blocked in your throat or nasal passages during sleep, causing the surrounding tissues to vibrate. However, sleep apnea is a more serious condition where breathing repeatedly stops and starts throughout the night, often accompanied by loud snoring.
