What common symptom indicates possible sleep apnea?

Loud snoring is a common symptom that often indicates the presence of sleep apnea. This condition is characterized by intermittent airway obstruction during sleep, which can cause the person to snore loudly as air struggles to pass through the blocked airways. While snoring alone does not definitively diagnose sleep apnea, it is frequently reported by partners of individuals who have the condition.

The presence of loud snoring combined with other symptoms can help healthcare providers identify potential sleep apnea. It can prompt further evaluation such as a sleep study, where specific patterns of breathing interruptions can be assessed. Other symptoms, including excessive daytime sleepiness and difficulty waking in the morning, may also be associated with sleep apnea but are not as directly indicative as loud snoring, which often leads to a closer examination of potential obstructive events during sleep.