Is My Snoring Dangerous? Make an Appointment Ask a Question Search Conditions Did you know that some snoring can indicate a serious health issue? See what it looks and sounds like when sleep apnea causes your breathing to pause during sleep. Learn about obstructive sleep apnea from sleep expert, Sheila Tsai, MD, and the National Jewish Health Sleep Lab. Related Videos Sleepless? 5 Expert Tips to Help You Get Sleepy What Is Insomnia and How Does It Affect You? Long Term Effects of Insomnia on Health Tips to Stop Insomnia and Get Back to Sleep Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Helps Treat Insomnia Is Your Teen Getting Enough Sleep? Study: After Watching Disturbing Video, CPAP Usage Soars Transcript While some snoring can be normal or may just be a bothersome sound, snoring is a common sign of a more serious health condition such as obstructive sleep apnea. Sleep apnea means abnormal pauses in the breathing when somebody is sleeping. Other symptoms to look for other than loud disruptive snoring include the person being very restless when they sleep, gasping awake or struggling to breathe as they're sleeping. Untreated obstructive sleep apnea can have serious health consequences. You should see a doctor about your snoring if it is very loud and disruptive to the bed partner, particularly if it's associated with other symptoms such as excessive daytime sleepiness or if you have coexisting medical conditions that can be impacted by sleep apnea such as hypertension, depression and insomnia. Want to use this on your website? Fill out the content usage request form and then copy this code: