Key point
Bring persistent snoring, witnessed breathing pauses, gasping, or unexplained sleepiness to a clinician; symptoms alone cannot confirm or rule out apnea.
Obstructive and central sleep apnea
Sleep apnea involves repeated interruptions in breathing during sleep. In obstructive sleep apnea, the upper airway becomes blocked or narrowed. Central sleep apnea involves a problem with the signals that control breathing. Assessment distinguishes the type of apnea to guide treatment. 1
These interruptions can undermine restorative sleep and daytime functioning, even when the person does not remember repeatedly waking. Untreated apnea is also associated with serious cardiovascular risks. Recurring breathing symptoms warrant assessment, including when snoring is the main concern. A clinician can connect what is happening overnight with health history and daytime symptoms. 1
Symptoms beyond snoring
Common signs include loud frequent snoring, breathing that repeatedly stops and starts, and gasping. Other clues include daytime sleepiness, fatigue, dry mouth, morning headaches, insomnia, and frequent trips to the bathroom overnight. NHLBI notes that fatigue, headache, and insomnia are more common presentations in women. 2
None of these symptoms is specific enough to diagnose apnea alone. A morning headache has many possible explanations, and snoring does not tell you how often breathing is interrupted. Conversely, a person who sleeps alone may have no observer to report breathing pauses. Describe the full pattern instead of deciding that you do or do not fit a stereotypical picture. Include whether you struggle to stay awake during ordinary activities, and whether anyone has heard choking or noticed pauses. 2
If you are too sleepy to drive safely, do not drive; arrange another way to travel. 6
Home and laboratory sleep studies
A clinician begins with symptoms, risk factors, family history, and medicines. A sleep study helps determine whether apnea is present, which type it is, and how severe it is. Some medicines, including opioids, and certain health conditions can affect breathing during sleep, so that background belongs in the assessment. 3
Home sleep apnea testing is appropriate for selected adults, not every possible sleep complaint. The AASM guideline recommends an in-laboratory study rather than a home test in several situations, including significant cardiorespiratory disease, suspected sleep-related hypoventilation, chronic opioid use, previous stroke, or severe insomnia. It also says questionnaires alone should not be used to diagnose obstructive sleep apnea. 4
If a home sleep apnea test is negative, inconclusive, or technically inadequate, the AASM recommends an in-laboratory sleep study to complete the diagnostic evaluation. Ask what your result does and does not exclude, particularly if the symptoms that prompted the test continue. 4
PAP, oral appliances, and other treatments
Positive airway pressure, or PAP, is a common treatment. It uses pressure delivered through a mask to help keep the airway open during sleep. There are different forms of PAP, and the appropriate setup depends on the person's needs. Oral appliances, selected surgical procedures, and other approaches may also be considered. 5
Activity, limiting alcohol, and weight management when relevant can be parts of treatment. A clinician may also recommend side sleeping for someone whose airway obstruction is affected by position. Those measures are not interchangeable with every prescribed treatment, and a position change is not evidence that apnea has resolved. Ask how the chosen approach will be checked and which outcomes should improve. 5
Mask leaks, dryness, and other treatment problems
PAP treatment may require adjustments to mask fit, humidity, or other settings. Dryness, leaks, discomfort, and persistent symptoms are reasons to contact the care team. NHLBI recommends regular follow-up to check whether treatment is working, and discussion with the dentist if an oral appliance fits poorly or symptoms persist. 6
If PAP has been prescribed, use it whenever you sleep, including naps. For mask-fit problems, check the fit while lying down with the machine running, and ask the care team about persistent leaks or discomfort. 6
Before the appointment, write down: what happens at night, what happens during the day, and what has already been tried. If you use PAP, note exactly when discomfort occurs and whether the mask is being removed during sleep. Bring that information and the device details to the appointment. 6
Sources & further reading
Numbered citations in the article link to the references below.
Correction: September 6, 2026: Clarified that the AASM recommends laboratory testing after a negative, inconclusive, or technically inadequate home apnea test. The previous wording understated that recommendation.
Written for adult readers. This guide offers general education and does not diagnose a condition or replace individual care. Read our editorial standards.
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