2 MIN READ
MAY 2026
Signs of sleep apnea — don’t ignore the snore!
Snoring may seem harmless. But it can be a sign of sleep apnea, a common condition that affects breathing during sleep. Many people don’t realize they have it. In fact, a partner often notices the signs first.
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Could you or your partner have sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea happens when breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. Signs include:
- Loud snoring
- Pauses in breathing during sleep
- Waking up during the night gasping or choking
- Waking up in the morning with headaches, a dry mouth or sore throat
- Feeling tired, foggy or irritable during the day, even with enough sleep
Not sure if sleep apnea could be the issue? A quick sleep quiz can point you in the right direction.
Get the sleep support you need
Your Costco benefits offer sleep support for employees and family members enrolled in the Costco medical plan.
GEM Sleep makes it easy to take a sleep test from the comfort of your own home, without the need for an overnight stay in a sleep clinic. GEM board-certified clinicians review your results and can provide you with a sleep apnea diagnosis in just a few days. It’s available to mainland employees enrolled in the Aetna medical plan, which may include copays, deductible and coinsurance.
If it’s not sleep apnea causing your poor sleep, try Sleepio. This no-cost digital sleep improvement program has proven techniques that can help. Download the app to get started.
Understanding treatment options
If you’re diagnosed with sleep apnea, you’ll get treatment options based on your needs, which may include:
- CPAP therapy, which uses gentle air pressure through a mask to keep airways open during sleep
- Oral appliance therapy (OAT), a custom device similar to a retainer or mouthguard, which helps keep the airway open
GEM’s team of experts helps track your progress and offers ongoing support.
Better sleep starts with paying attention to the signs. Left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to ongoing poor sleep and raise the risk of serious health issues like heart disease, stroke and more.1
The good news is that treating sleep apnea can improve your sleep, your mental health and your physical health. Get started at mygemsleep.com/costco.
Source:
1American Heart Association. Sleep apnea and heart health
Resources for you
Sleepio is a no-cost online sleep improvement program clinically proven to help you clear your mind, get better sleep and have better days in just 6 weeks.
Sleepio.com/Costco | App | Ages 18+ | No cost
GEM Sleep makes it easy to get a sleep apnea diagnosis and treatment from the comfort of your own home. Aetna medical plan benefits apply, which may include copays, deductible and coinsurance.
mygemsleep.com/costco | Ages 18+ | Aetna medical benefits apply
Sleepio is a no-cost online sleep improvement program clinically proven to help you clear your mind, get better sleep and have better days in just 6 weeks.
Sleepio.com/Costco | App | Ages 18+ | No cost
Sleepio is a no-cost online sleep improvement program clinically proven to help you clear your mind, get better sleep and have better days in just 6 weeks.
Sleepio.com/Costco | App | Ages 18+ | No cost