Frequently Asked Questions

Short answers, with links to the full version where there is one.

Snoring

Why do I snore? Soft tissue vibrating in a partially narrowed airway. Where it narrows decides which remedies can help. Find out where

Why did I suddenly start snoring? Usually weight gain, unresolved congestion, a change in alcohol timing, a new medication, a position change, or hormonal change. The full list

Can snoring be cured? Sometimes. Weight, alcohol, medication and congestion-driven snoring can be genuinely resolved. Anatomical causes are usually managed. The detail

Does everyone snore? Occasionally, essentially yes. Habitually, no. More

Why can't I hear myself snore? Your brain suppresses predictable, self-generated sound — the same reason you cannot hear your own heartbeat. Why

Is snoring genetic? You inherit the airway that produces it. The behaviours that push you over the threshold are not inherited. More

Is snoring bad for you? The serious risks belong to sleep apnea. Heavy nightly snoring has a plausible but less certain association with arterial changes. The evidence

Sleep apnea

How do I know if it is apnea rather than snoring? Silences that end in a gasp, morning headaches, waking unrefreshed, and daytime sleepiness. Continuous even snoring is generally more benign. The full comparison

Can you snore without having sleep apnea? Yes, and most snorers do. The overlap runs one way. Why

Does a negative home sleep test rule it out? No. Home tests underestimate severity, and guidance says a negative test should be followed by a lab study if symptoms persist. How testing works

Is there a drug for sleep apnea now? Yes — tirzepatide, approved December 2024 for moderate-to-severe apnea in adults with obesity. It reduces severity rather than curing it. The trial

What if I cannot tolerate CPAP? Most abandonment is fixable equipment problems. The first month · the alternatives

Mouth tape

Does mouth tape work? For a mouth falling open above a clear nose, yes, and you will know within about four nights. For other snoring mechanisms, no. The guide

Is it safe? For people whose nose reliably works and who have been screened for apnea. Not otherwise. Who should not use it

What if I cannot breathe with it on? For a suitable user, your body rouses briefly and breaks the seal. That is why instant releasability is non-negotiable. The detail

Can I use regular or surgical tape? Household tapes, no. Surgical tape is skin-safe but bonds harder than you want on lips. What to use

Does it help sleep apnea? No, and a systematic review advised against it for moderate-to-severe cases. Why

Does it change your face or help you lose weight? No to both. The myths · the weight claim

Nasal strips

Do they work? For people whose narrowing is at the nasal valve. Pull your cheek outward beside a nostril and breathe in — if that eases things, they will help. The guide

Why does mine keep falling off? Skin oil, usually. Wash, dry thoroughly, skip moisturiser on the nose. The five causes

Are they safe every night? Yes. No drug, no rebound, no dependency. Skin is the only limit. More

Can you reuse one? No. The spring loses tension overnight as well as the adhesive. Why

Do they increase your oxygen? No. Saturation is already near maximum at rest. The physiology

What is the difference between nose strips and nasal strips? Usually nothing — though "nose strips" is also used for pore strips, a completely different product. The disambiguation

Mouth and nasal breathing

How do I know if I mouth breathe at night? Dry mouth, sore throat easing within an hour, chapped lips, morning bad breath. The signs

Why is my nose blocked only at night? Lying down increases blood flow to the nasal lining. Why

Why does one nostril block at a time? The nasal cycle. Normal physiology. The explanation

Is mouth breathing bad for your teeth? Yes — reduced saliva lets oral pH fall. The detail

For partners

What is their snoring costing me? Research on partners of treated patients found sleep efficiency rising from 74% to 87% — about an extra hour a night. The evidence

What earplugs actually work? Snoring is low-frequency, which is where passive plugs perform worst. Silicone putty plus brown noise beats either alone. The guide

They will not see a doctor. What now? Work out which objection you are facing

About this site

How do you decide what to recommend? Three evidence tiers, stated every time. Our standards

Do you make money from this? Yes, through affiliate and partner relationships, disclosed in full. It does not move anything up a tier. The disclosure