Snoring - When To Call a Doctor

When To Call a Doctor

Call your health professional if you or your bed partner:

• Snores loudly and heavily.
• Snores and feels sleepy during the day.
• Snores and falls asleep at inappropriate times, such as when talking or while eating.
• Stops breathing, gasps, or chokes during sleep.

Snoring is the main symptom of sleep apnea, a potentially serious sleep disorder in which you periodically stop breathing during sleep. For more information, see the topic Sleep Apnea.

Watchful Waiting

Watchful waiting is a period of time during which you and your health professional observe your symptoms or condition without using medical treatment. Watchful waiting may be appropriate if your snoring does not disturb your bed partner or if you are not excessively sleepy during the day. If home treatment does not help your snoring, contact your health professional.

Watchful waiting may not be appropriate if you or your sleeping partner snores loudly and heavily, is restless during sleep, is sleepy during the day, or stops breathing when sleeping. These may indicate sleep apnea. Contact your health professional.

Who To See

Health professionals who can treat snoring include:

• General practitioners or primary care physicians.
• Internists.
• Pediatricians.
• Nurse practitioners.
• Physician assistants.
• Otolaryngologists.

If sleep apnea is suspected, a health professional who specializes in treating sleep disorders (often a neurologist or pulmonologist) can help arrange and interpret tests to diagnose sleep apnea. If your health professional recommends an oral breathing device, you may be referred to a dentist.

To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment