Loud, frequent snoring, especially when it’s paired with pauses in breathing, choking, or gasping for air, might be more than just a noisy habit. It could be sleep apnea, a serious condition where your breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. This not only disrupts your sleep quality but can also lead to daytime fatigue, headaches, poor concentration, and even increase your risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes. If you or a loved one snores loudly and shows signs like excessive daytime sleepiness, morning headaches, restless sleep, mood changes, or irritability, consult a sleep specialist.