Sleep health

Symptoms of snoring

Snoring on its own is common and often harmless, but loud snoring paired with gasping, choking, daytime fatigue or waking unrefreshed can be a sign of obstructive sleep apnoea. If that sounds like you, it's worth speaking to a GP or sleep clinician.

By the CDW team · Last reviewed 2026-06-04

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What is snoring?

Snoring is the sound made when air can't move freely through the back of your nose and throat while you sleep. As you breathe, relaxed tissues vibrate and create that familiar rattling or rasping noise. Almost everyone snores occasionally, and on its own snoring is usually nothing to worry about.

The picture changes when snoring is loud, frequent, or comes with other symptoms. That's often when it's worth paying closer attention.

Signs you might be snoring

If you share a bed, your partner is usually the first to know. Being regularly nudged or woken by an irritated partner is a strong clue. If you sleep alone, you can still watch for these everyday signs:

  • Waking up feeling unrested, even after a full night in bed
  • Excessive daytime sleepiness
  • Gasping or choking sensations during the night
  • Daytime fatigue or irritability
  • Reduced attention, concentration, or memory
  • A dry or sore throat when you wake up

A simple option is to record yourself overnight with a phone app, so you can hear whether you snore and how loud it is.

Is snoring a symptom of sleep apnoea?

It can be. Snoring is one of the most common signs of sleep apnoea (also spelled apnea), a condition where breathing repeatedly pauses or becomes shallow during sleep. Not everyone who snores has sleep apnoea, and you can have sleep apnoea without snoring loudly, but the two are often linked.

Left unmanaged, obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is associated with daytime tiredness, low mood, and other health concerns. Because it can affect how rested and alert you feel day to day, it's a condition worth taking seriously and discussing with a health professional.

When snoring might point to sleep apnoea

Understanding what's behind your snoring matters. If you snore and notice any of the following, it may be worth getting checked for obstructive sleep apnoea:

  • Snoring loud enough to be heard in the next room
  • Gasping, choking, or pauses in breathing during sleep (often noticed by a partner)
  • Waking suddenly at unusual times during the night
  • Frequently waking with a dry throat
  • Consistently waking up feeling tired, no matter how long you sleep
  • Daytime fatigue that leads to irritability or low mood

When to worry, and when to see a GP

Occasional, quiet snoring usually isn't a cause for concern. Consider speaking to your GP or a sleep clinician if you notice:

  • Loud, frequent snoring most nights
  • A partner observing pauses, gasping, or choking in your breathing
  • Persistent daytime sleepiness that affects work, driving, or daily life
  • Morning headaches, or waking unrefreshed despite enough hours in bed

Only a qualified health professional can diagnose sleep apnoea, usually with a sleep study. Our clinical partner CLM Sleep offers sleep studies and diagnostic services, and our team in-store is always happy to point you in the right direction.

This page is general information, not medical advice. If you're worried about snoring or your sleep, please speak to your GP or a sleep clinician.

How CPAP therapy can help

If you're diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnoea, your clinician may recommend CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) therapy. A CPAP machine delivers a gentle, steady flow of air through a mask to keep your airway open while you sleep, which can reduce snoring and the breathing pauses that come with OSA.

At CPAP Discount Warehouse we stock genuine, Australian-supplied, TGA-regulated devices from trusted brands including ResMed, Fisher & Paykel, Philips Respironics, and Löwenstein. If you already have a prescription or diagnosis, you can explore:

Not sure which mask suits you? Try our mask finder, or talk to a real CPAP consultant. You're also welcome to visit our Elizabeth store in South Australia. Have a question first? Our FAQ page covers the common ones.

Key takeaways

  • Snoring is common and often harmless on its own.
  • Loud, frequent snoring with gasping, choking, or daytime tiredness can be a sign of obstructive sleep apnoea.
  • Only a health professional can diagnose sleep apnoea, usually via a sleep study.
  • CPAP therapy is a common treatment if OSA is diagnosed, and the CDW team can help once you have a prescription.

Frequently asked questions

Is snoring always a sign of sleep apnoea?
No. Snoring is very common and often harmless. But loud, frequent snoring combined with gasping, choking, or daytime tiredness can be a sign of obstructive sleep apnoea, which is worth discussing with a GP or sleep clinician.
How do I know if I snore when I sleep alone?
Watch for everyday signs like waking unrefreshed, daytime sleepiness, a dry or sore throat in the morning, or gasping sensations at night. Recording yourself overnight with a phone app is a simple way to hear whether you snore and how loud it is.
When should I see a doctor about snoring?
Consider seeing your GP if you snore loudly most nights, if a partner notices pauses or gasping in your breathing, or if you have persistent daytime sleepiness. Only a health professional can diagnose sleep apnoea, usually with a sleep study.
Can a CPAP machine stop snoring?
If snoring is caused by obstructive sleep apnoea, CPAP therapy can reduce snoring and the breathing pauses that come with it by keeping your airway open while you sleep. CPAP is prescribed after a diagnosis, so speak to a clinician first.
Where can I get a sleep study in Australia?
Our independent clinical partner CLM Sleep offers sleep studies and diagnostic services. You can also ask your GP for a referral, or talk to the CDW team in our Elizabeth, SA store for guidance on next steps.