Sleep Apnea: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options

What Is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a common condition in which breathing repeatedly stops and restarts throughout the night. These pauses can last from a few seconds to over a minute and may occur dozens of times per hour in severe cases, preventing the body from getting enough oxygen and disrupting the quality of sleep.

There are two main types. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), the most common form, happens when the muscles in the throat relax too much during sleep, causing the airway to become partially or fully blocked. Central sleep apnea is less common and occurs when the brain fails to send the proper signals to the muscles that control breathing.

Who Is at Risk?

Several factors increase the likelihood of developing sleep apnea:

• Excess weight — fat deposits around the neck can narrow and obstruct the upper airway
• Older age — risk increases with age, though it tends to level off after the 60s and 70s
• Male sex — men are two to three times more likely to have OSA, though the risk rises in women after menopause
• Large tonsils, neck, or tongue — these can narrow the airway or make blockage more likely
• Family history — having relatives with sleep apnea may increase your own risk
• Smoking and alcohol use — both can relax throat muscles or increase airway inflammation
• Other conditions — such as chronic nasal congestion, hypothyroidism, or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

Common Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

Many people are unaware they have sleep apnea because the most obvious signs happen while they're asleep:

• Loud, frequent snoring — often noticed by a partner or family member rather than the person themselves
• Gasping or choking during sleep — episodes of breathing stopping and then restarting abruptly
• Excessive daytime sleepiness — feeling tired despite a full night in bed
• Morning headaches — linked to lower oxygen levels overnight
• Difficulty concentrating — problems with memory, focus, or learning during the day
• Irritability or mood changes — including increased risk of depression
• Waking up with a dry mouth or sore throat

If you experience several of these symptoms together, especially loud snoring combined with daytime fatigue, it's worth discussing with a doctor.

How Is Sleep Apnea Diagnosed?

Diagnosis typically starts with a discussion of symptoms and medical history, followed by a sleep study (polysomnography), which can be conducted overnight in a sleep lab or, in many cases, at home with a portable monitoring device. This test measures breathing patterns, oxygen levels, and how often breathing pauses occur during sleep, allowing a doctor to determine the severity of the condition.

Why Treating Sleep Apnea Matters

Untreated sleep apnea is associated with several other health conditions, including high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, irregular heartbeat, type 2 diabetes, and chronic lung disease. The repeated drops in oxygen and disrupted sleep place ongoing strain on the cardiovascular system, which is why healthcare providers generally recommend addressing sleep apnea rather than simply living with the symptoms.

Treatment Options

1. Lifestyle changes

For mild cases, losing weight, sleeping on your side instead of your back, avoiding alcohol and sedatives before bed, and quitting smoking can meaningfully reduce symptoms.

2. CPAP therapy

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the standard first-line treatment for moderate to severe OSA. A CPAP machine delivers a steady stream of air through a mask worn during sleep, keeping the airway open throughout the night.

3. Oral appliances

Custom-fitted dental devices can reposition the jaw and tongue to help keep the airway open, and may be suitable for mild to moderate cases or for those who cannot tolerate CPAP.

4. Surgery

In select cases where anatomical issues (such as enlarged tonsils) are the primary cause, or when other treatments haven't worked, surgical options may be considered.

When to See a Doctor

Consider speaking with a healthcare provider if you or a partner notices loud snoring, choking or gasping during sleep, or if you experience persistent daytime sleepiness despite getting a full night's sleep. Early diagnosis and treatment can significantly reduce the risk of long-term complications.

Key Takeaways

Sleep apnea is a common but frequently undiagnosed condition — research suggests that a majority of adults with symptoms have never discussed the condition with a doctor. While it cannot always be completely cured, sleep apnea can be effectively managed with the right combination of lifestyle changes, CPAP therapy, oral appliances, or surgery. If you suspect you may have sleep apnea, a conversation with your doctor and a sleep study are simple first steps toward better rest and long-term health.

Prepared by: Punyanut Angkhanawin, Pharm.D.

Sources:

1. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), National Institutes of Health. What Is Sleep Apnea?
2. Mayo Clinic. Obstructive Sleep Apnea – Symptoms and Causes.
3. Cleveland Clinic. Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): Symptoms & Treatment.