Section

Is it sleep apnea?

Loud snoring is sometimes a sign of obstructive sleep apnea, and most people who have it don’t know. Here is how to tell when to get tested, how testing works, and what treatment looks like.

Free toolShould I get tested?: Eight yes-or-no questions about the warning signs. Two minutes.

Read in this order

Snoring or sleep apnea? How to tell the differenceHow ordinary snoring differs from sleep apnea, the warning signs to watch for, who's at risk, and how a physician tests for it at home or in a lab.
Sleep apnea symptoms: night, day and the ones people missSleep apnea symptoms at night and during the day, what a partner or dentist may notice, and the signs in women that often get missed.
Home sleep apnea test: how it works, who it's for, and what it costsHow a home sleep apnea test works, who should have a lab study instead, who orders and reads it, what it costs, and what Medicare and insurance cover.
CPAP alternatives: your options if CPAP isn't workingStruggling with CPAP? How to make it easier, plus the alternatives: oral appliances, position, weight loss, Zepbound, Inspire and surgery.
CPAP masks for side sleepers: nasal pillows, nasal or full face?Which CPAP mask types suit side sleepers, how to stop leaks when you turn, why masks need a prescription, and where a CPAP pillow fits in.
Sleep test results: what AHI, RDI, ODI and oxygen numbers meanA plain guide to your sleep study report: AHI, RDI, REI, ODI, oxygen nadir, the AASM severity cutoffs, and why a home test can read low.
Oral appliance vs CPAP for sleep apnea: which fits you?CPAP lowers breathing pauses more; people often wear an oral appliance more. How they compare, who suits each, side effects and follow-up testing.
Inspire vs oral appliance vs CPAP: how the sleep apnea options compareInspire, a custom oral appliance and CPAP compared: who each suits, the FDA-approved Inspire criteria, results, side effects and Medicare rules.
Zepbound for sleep apnea: who it's for, results and side effectsZepbound is FDA-approved for moderate to severe sleep apnea in adults with obesity. What the trials found, side effects, who shouldn't use it, and Medicare.
Snoring apps and sleep trackers: what they can and can't tell youWhat snoring apps and smartwatch sleep apnea alerts actually measure, how accurate they are, and why no alert doesn't mean no sleep apnea.

Picks from these guides

If the free fixes haven’t worked

Each pick comes with who it isn’t for. Read the guide before you buy.

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PickLofta home sleep test

A home sleep test with the physician's order included

Lofta sells a home sleep apnea test that you use for one night in your own bed.

Not for: children and teens: see your pediatrician; people with heart failure, lung disease or a neuromuscular condition, who may need an in-lab study; suspected central sleep apnea, which a home test can't diagnose; anyone who has trouble setting up a device on their own.

See Lofta home sleep test Read the guide

PickContour Living CPAP pillow

If your mask shifts or leaks when you lie on your side

The AASM suggests trying a pillow shaped for a CPAP mask and tubing.

Not for: pain, sores or constant leaks: ask your sleep team about a different mask first; anyone not yet diagnosed: see a physician for a sleep test.

See Contour Living CPAP pillow Read the guide