Snoring is often seen as a harmless result of deep sleep. However, excessive snoring shouldn’t be overlooked.

According to CNN, there are various reasons why people snore. Most of the time, people snore due to a harmless obstruction of their airways, but other times snoring could mean there’s an underlying health issue like sleep apnea.

The American Sleep Apnea Association defines sleep apnea on their website as “an involuntary cessation of breathing that occurs while the patient is asleep.”

The website also said that people who haven’t been treated for sleep apnea tend to stop breathing hundreds of times during the night without even knowing it.

Sleep apnea occurs when the airways are obstructed while a person’s asleep, at which point the person’s brain sends signals to the body, forcing either a gasp or a loud snore, the association’s website reported.

If someone’s suffering from excessive snoring, it could be a possible sign of sleep apnea and should be taken seriously.

The association’s website said that sleep apnea affects more than 18 million Americans, typically more so in males than females. Not only does it affect millions of people, but if left untreated, it could have serious health repercussions.

Sleep apnea sufferers could experience cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, weight gain and headaches, according to the association. Which is why it’s so important to see a doctor and find a treatment option as soon as possible.

The association’s website offered several sleep apnea treatments, like therapy or wearing oral appliances while sleeping, which could help alleviate the condition.

While it’s baffling how something so harmless like snoring could have major health implications, it’s definitely better to be safe than sorry.