Like the sound of a pesky alarm clock, snoring is one of the off-putting sounds that no one wants to hear when they're trying to sleep.

That telltale noise emitting from an open mouth is not exactly the sound or image we want to display when a friend or romantic partner sleeps over, either. It's also one of the top reasons more than a third of American couples opt to sleep separately, according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.

Wondering if you (or someone you know) can ever stop snoring? The good news is that, in many circumstances, it's common, treatable, and preventable. More serious outcomes associated with snoring, like sleep apnea, can also often be avoided. Here's what to know.

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The first thing to understand is that snoring "affects billions of people globally," said Patrick McKeown, an advisor of the International Academy of Breathing and Health and the author of "The Breathing Cure: Develop New Habits for a Healthier, Happier, and Longer Life."