When Summer Heat Makes Snoring and Sleep Apnea Worse …And What You Can Do to Sleep Better
Dr. Martin Hopp MD, ENT
Hot, sticky nights. Tossing and turning. Waking up tired, even after a full night in bed.
Sound familiar?
If you’ve been sweating through your sheets or hearing complaints about your snoring lately, you’re not alone. Summer heat can mess with your sleep in more ways than you think. And for people with snoring or sleep apnea, the heat can make symptoms even worse.
Let’s take a closer look at what’s happening and how you can start sleeping better, no matter how hot it gets outside.
What Is a Heat Dome and Why Does It Affect Sleep?
You may have seen it in the headlines: a heat dome is a weather event where a massive layer of hot air gets trapped over a region for days or even weeks. It pushes daytime highs to record levels. More importantly, it keeps nighttime temperatures from cooling down.
Why does that matter?
Your body needs to cool down by 1–2 degrees at night to fall into deep sleep. When your room stays hot, that process gets blocked, and your sleep gets lighter, more restless, and less restorative.
Why the Heat Makes Snoring and Sleep Apnea Worse
Here’s how hot weather affects your breathing at night:
Stuffy nose = more mouth breathing
Heat and humidity can clog your nose. That leads to mouth breathing, which dries out your throat and worsens snoring.
Muscles relax too much
The heat causes your throat muscles to go soft, increasing the chance your airway collapses during sleep.
Back sleeping increases
Sweating and discomfort make people toss and turn, often ending up on their backs, which can worsen snoring and sleep apnea.
More sleep interruptions
Even if you don’t fully wake up, your brain gets interrupted repeatedly. For people with sleep apnea, these micro-arousals compound the issue.
CPAP Too Hot to Handle? You’re Not the Only One
While CPAP machines work for many, they’re not always easy to use in summer. Hot air blowing on your face, sweaty straps, and dry air can make it uncomfortable. Studies show CPAP usage often drops during the summer months.
If CPAP feels like it’s too much right now, don’t give up— there are cooler, quieter options worth exploring.
The DayBreak™ mandibular advancement device (MAD) is a small, custom-fit mouthpiece worn while you sleep. It gently moves your lower jaw forward to help open your airway, reduce snoring, and supports better breathing— all without a mask or machine.
Why patients love DayBreak™ during summer:
- FDA-cleared for obstructive sleep apnea and snoring
- No hoses, masks, or machines— just a slim oral appliance
- Silent and portable— perfect for travel, camping, or summer nights without AC Comfortable to wear— especially if CPAP isn’t working for you
DayBreak™ may be the right solution if:
- You’ve been diagnosed with sleep apnea
- You snore heavily but prefer a mask-free option
- You're looking for something more comfortable in the heat
Quick Tips for Better Summer Sleep
- Set your thermostat to 61–68°F at night
- Ensure a dark sleeping environment, as free of light as possible
- Use lightweight, breathable sheets
- Sleep on your side to reduce snoring
- Drink water and skip alcohol before bed
- Take a cool shower before bedtime to lower your body temperature
- Don’t ignore loud snoring, gasping, or fatigue: get evaluated
Final Thoughts
Snoring and sleep apnea don’t take a summer break, and neither should your sleep. If the heat is making your symptoms worse, you’re not stuck. Whether it’s improving your sleep environment, adjusting your routine, or switching to a device like DayBreak™, you’ve got options.
Listen to your body. Protect your sleep. And ask for help when you need it. Better sleep isn’t a luxury…. it’s a necessity!