What should you know about extremely loud snoring?

Relaxed tissues in the nose, mouth or throat vibrate as air moves during sleep. Allergic rhinitis and chronic sinusitis can block the nose and encourage mouth breathing. Alcohol, sedating medicines, back sleeping and excess tissue around the airway can make sound louder. Obstructive sleep apnoea is a condition in which the airway repeatedly narrows or closes; witnessed pauses, choking, gasping, morning headaches and unrefreshing sleep are useful clues. Loud snoring alone does not establish that diagnosis.

Try side sleeping, keep the nose clear when congested and avoid alcohol close to bedtime. Review sedating medicines with a clinician rather than stopping prescribed treatment yourself. If weight contributes to airway narrowing, a structured weight management programme may be part of care. Ask someone nearby whether they notice pauses or gasps, and record daytime sleepiness.

Arrange review for persistent disruptive snoring, witnessed pauses, gasping, morning headaches, poor concentration or marked daytime sleepiness. Seek urgent help for severe breathing difficulty while awake, chest pain, fainting or blue lips. A clinician may examine the nose and throat and consider a sleep assessment.

Ask whether congestion, medicines, sleep position or airway anatomy may contribute, and whether your symptoms justify a sleep study. Mention pauses, gasping, morning symptoms and sleepiness while driving or working.