There are different kinds of snoring that can indicate different things. Primary snoring, also known as simple snoring is characterized by loud upper airway breathing sounds and NO episodes of apnea. Primary snoring is often treated by losing weight, sleeping on your side and refraining from alcohol and sedatives. It can also be treated with oral devices that help maintain an open airway, or, various types of surgery that involve removing excess tissue from the throat. Obstructive Sleep Apnea is when a person stops breathing repeatedly during sleep.
Breathing stops because the airway collapses and prevents air from getting into the lungs.
Sleep patterns are disrupted, resulting in excessive sleepiness or fatigue during the day. Extra tissue in the back of the airway such as large tonsils. Decrease in the tone of the muscles holding the airway open. The tongue falling back and closing off the airway. Most OSA sufferers remain undiagnosed and untreated.