Common symptoms
- Loud, regular snoring
- Pauses in breathing, gasping or choking during sleep (often noticed by a partner)
- Daytime sleepiness or tiredness
- Morning headaches or poor concentration
- In children: restless sleep, mouth breathing, or behaviour and attention changes
Common causes
- Nasal blockage
- Enlarged tonsils or adenoids (especially in children)
- Excess weight
- Alcohol or sedatives before sleep
- Sleeping on your back
When to see an ENT specialist
- Someone has noticed pauses in your breathing during sleep
- You feel very sleepy during the day
- A child snores most nights
- Snoring affects your or your partner's sleep
Seek urgent medical care if
- If you feel sleepy while driving, stop driving and seek assessment promptly
How it is usually assessed
An ENT specialist will usually ask about your sleep and examine the nose and throat. A sleep study may be recommended to check for sleep apnea.
General management
Management depends on the cause and severity. It may include lifestyle changes, treating nasal blockage, a breathing device worn at night (CPAP), oral devices, or surgery in selected cases, such as removing enlarged tonsils and adenoids in children.
This page provides general information only. It is not medical advice, a diagnosis or a treatment plan, and it does not describe the specific services of any doctor. Please consult a doctor about your own situation.