Sleep apnea is being flagged as a common but treatable problem, and the message for tired snorers is mostly hopeful: the fix is usually straightforward once you get tested.

• All snoring means the airway is partly blocked, but heavy, frequent snoring that breaks up your sleep is the warning sign.
• Sleeping 12 hours and still waking up tired, or crashing by mid-afternoon, points to sleep apnea rather than simple tiredness.
• Untreated, it robs the brain of deep sleep, which is linked to memory problems and dementia later in life.
• A short thick neck or a crowded mouth and throat make the airway easier to block, and the tongue falling back is the most common cause.
• Breathing machines are quieter and less bulky than people expect, and a noisy one usually just means the mask does not fit.

Outlook: Anyone who snores heavily and wakes up tired should get tested, and sleeping on the side or propped up helps in the meantime.