Snoring & Sleep Apnea Risk Check

Loud snoring plus daytime exhaustion can be more than a nuisance. This 8-question check is based on the clinically used STOP-Bang questionnaire — answer honestly, in about a minute.

What this check is — and is not

This is the STOP-Bang screening questionnaire (Chung et al., 2008) — the same 8 yes/no items doctors use to decide who should be referred for a sleep study. It estimates the probability of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a condition where the airway repeatedly collapses during sleep, causing breathing pauses, oxygen drops and micro-awakenings.

It is a screener, not a diagnosis. Only a sleep study (polysomnography or a home test) can diagnose OSA. But the condition is common — roughly 1 in 5 adults has at least mild OSA, and most of them are undiagnosed. Untreated, it is linked to high blood pressure, heart disease, type 2 diabetes and serious daytime fatigue. The good news: treatments (CPAP, oral appliances, positional therapy, weight loss) are effective, and people often describe the results as "getting my life back".

Frequently asked questions

Is snoring always a sign of sleep apnea?

No — most snoring is 'simple snoring' without breathing pauses. The red flags are: snoring loud enough to hear through a door, witnessed pauses or gasping, waking unrefreshed, and daytime sleepiness. This checklist weighs exactly those factors.

Can I do a sleep study at home?

Often, yes. For suspected moderate OSA, many doctors now prescribe home sleep apnea tests — a small kit you wear overnight. Complex cases (heart disease, severe insomnia) usually still need an in-lab study.

What reduces snoring tonight?

Side-sleeping (a tennis ball sewn into pajama backs works), avoiding alcohol within 3 hours of bed, raising the head of the bed slightly, and treating nasal congestion. Weight loss of even 5–10% meaningfully reduces OSA severity.

References

Reviewed by SleepyClock · Last reviewed: September 2026

Svensson, M., et al. (2008). Sleep disordered breathing in community-dwelling elderly. Sleep Medicine Reviews, 12(1), 35–42.
American Academy of Sleep Medicine. (2021). Snoring & Sleep Apnea. sleepeducation.org.

For our full methodology and a list of every reference we cite, see Sources & Methodology.

Disclaimer: This screening tool does not diagnose any condition. A high score means you should discuss a sleep study with a healthcare professional. If you experience gasping, chest pain at night or severe daytime sleepiness while driving, seek medical care promptly.