What’s the difference between snoring and sleep apnea?
💤 Snoring and Sleep Apnea: What You Need to Know
Both snoring and sleep apnea can seriously affect the quality of your sleep — and your partner’s — but they’re not the same thing.
While snoring is often harmless (though disruptive), sleep apnea can be a sign of a more serious condition that requires medical attention.
Let’s look at what separates them and how you can manage both for a better night’s rest.
🔊 What Causes Snoring?
Snoring happens when airflow through your airway is partially blocked during sleep. As you breathe in, the muscles in your throat, tongue and soft palate relax, narrowing the airway. Air moves faster through this smaller space, causing the tissues to vibrate against each other — creating that familiar snoring sound.
Snoring affects both adults and children. In children, it’s usually caused by a cold, enlarged tonsils or adenoids.
For adults, the main risk factors include:
- Being overweight (extra tissue around the throat can narrow the airway)
- Drinking alcohol before bed
- Smoking
- Sleeping on your back
- Nasal congestion or allergies
Occasional snoring is common, but loud or habitual snoring can lead to daytime fatigue, irritability and relationship strain — not to mention poor-quality sleep for everyone involved.
Smooth, steady breathing — free from obstruction — is key to truly restful sleep.
🛏️ Learn more about the causes of snoring and how to manage it in this article or explore our Kally Adjustable Pillow designed to improve airflow and reduce snoring naturally.
😮💨 What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea — often called obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) — occurs when the soft tissues in your throat repeatedly collapse during sleep, completely blocking the airway.
This pause in breathing can last anywhere from 10 seconds to a full minute, until the airway reopens — often with a loud gasp, choke or snort. This cycle can happen dozens of times per night, severely disrupting rest.
Common Symptoms of Sleep Apnea:
- Loud, chronic snoring
- Temporary pauses in breathing
- Waking up gasping or choking
- Morning headaches
- Daytime sleepiness and fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating
Sleep apnea is more serious than simple snoring and should always be discussed with your GP. It’s most common in adults over 40, particularly those who are overweight.
💡 How to Reduce Snoring and Sleep Apnea Naturally
The good news is that both conditions can often be improved with a few simple lifestyle adjustments.
✅ Try These Tips:
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Maintain a healthy weight: Reducing fatty tissue around the neck can help open your airway.
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Avoid alcohol, tobacco, and sedatives: These relax throat muscles and make breathing harder.
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Sleep on your side or stomach: Sleeping on your back can make airway collapse more likely.
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Treat nasal congestion: Use a saline spray or humidifier to keep airways clear.
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Review medications: Some muscle relaxants and sleeping tablets can worsen snoring — ask your GP for advice.
🛏️ Our Kally Adjustable Pillow supports your head and neck to encourage side sleeping — a simple, effective way to reduce snoring and improve breathing comfort.
🌙 When to See a Doctor
If you or your partner notice pauses in breathing, choking or gasping during sleep — or if you wake up feeling exhausted despite a full night in bed — it’s time to speak to your GP.
A professional sleep assessment can rule out sleep apnea and recommend treatment if needed.
💤 Sleep Better with Kallysleep
At Kallysleep, we design products to help you breathe easier and sleep deeper — whether you’re tackling snoring, reflux or general discomfort.
Explore our full collection of Sleep Solutions, including:
Find the comfort you need for uninterrupted, restorative sleep — every night.
