Recognizing the Red Flags of Sleep Apnea
Key Takeaways
- Sleep apnea causes brief pauses in breathing during sleep. It most commonly occurs due to obstruction of the airway from the collapse or relaxation of tissues in the back of the throat.
- Doctors diagnose sleep apnea through sleep studies, known as polysomnography or an at-home sleep study.
- Treatment for sleep apnea includes oral appliances, surgery, or CPAP therapy, which is the gold standard for OSA treatment.
Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder that affect your sleep quality and your overall wellbeing. Fortunately, there are effective treatments for sleep apnea that can reduce the risk of future complications.
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a type of sleep disorder that causes brief periods of apnea, or pauses in breathing, during sleep. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most prevalent form of sleep apnea.
OSA refers to obstructive sleep apnea, which is caused by blockage of the airway. This usually occurs when tissues in the back of the throat, such as the tongue or soft palate, relax and fall to the back of the throat obstructing the airway.
Risk Factors for Developing Sleep Apnea
According to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, certain factors increase your risk of developing sleep apnea including the following ¹:
- Obesity: Excess weight in the upper airway and neck can increase the risk of the airway narrowing and collapsing during sleep.
- Gender: Sleep apnea is common in both males and females. However, it is more prevalent in men².
- Anatomic variations: Various structural variations can increase your chance of developing sleep apnea such as large tonsils, a narrow airway, and a thick neck.
- Genetics: Your genetics can also play a role in your risk of developing sleep apnea. For example, having a family history of the sleep disorder also increases your risk.
- Age: Your risk of sleep apnea increases as you get older.
Untreated Sleep Apnea's Impact n the Body
Untreated sleep apnea can lead to potentially life-threatening conditions. Repeated pauses in breathing during sleep causes oxygen levels to decrease and makes your heart work harder. Over time, this can lead to high blood pressure and increase your risk of developing certain complications. Research in the journal Diseases found that sleep apnea increases the risk of diabetes, congestive heart failure, stroke, and cardiac arrhythmia³. Learn more about untreated sleep apnea here.
Common Symptoms of Sleep Apnea to Recognize
Sleep apnea often causes certain symptoms. However, it's important to understand you do not need to have all the symptoms listed to have a diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea.
Common symptoms of sleep apnea to recognize include the following:
- Snoring
- Morning headaches
- Waking up gasping for air
- Problems with memory
- Daytime fatigue
- Trouble concentrating
- Weight gain
How to Get Tested for Sleep Apnea
To confirm a diagnosis of sleep apnea, your doctor will likely order a sleep study. A sleep study may include one of the options listed below:
Polysomnography: An in-lab polysomnography involves spending the night at a sleep lab where the technician will monitor you during sleep. Before the procedure, the technician will attach various sensors to your finger, limb, scalp, and chest. The sensors record breathing rate and effort, heart rate, muscle movement, oxygen levels, and brain waves. The sensors will detect pauses in your breathing.
At home, sleep study: An at home sleep study allows you to use a special device and sensors to monitor your sleep at home. Your doctor will help you determine whether an at home or an in-lab sleep study is most appropriate for your situation.
Treatment Options for Sleep Apnea
Treatment for sleep apnea is crucial in preventing the development of complications, such as heart disease. The treatment options recommended may depend on the severity of your apnea and your tolerance to each treatment. Treatment may include:
Oral Appliances
An oral appliance may be an option to treat mild to moderate sleep apnea. Different devices are available that help keep the throat open. For example, some devices bring the lower jaw forward, which helps maintain an open airway. Another option is a device that holds the tongue in a different position to prevent it from obstructing the airway.
Surgery
Surgery for sleep apnea is usually only performed if other types of therapies have not been effective or not tolerated. The exact surgical procedure recommended may vary. Options may include a procedure to remove tissue from the back of the mouth and the top of the throat. A newer procedure involves inserting an upper airway stimulation device. This device is implanted under the skin and stimulates a nerve that controls the movement of the tongue. It will cause the tongue to move forward instead of backward, obstructing the airway. It may be an option for individuals with moderate to severe sleep apnea.
CPAP Therapy
CPAP therapy is the gold standard when it comes to treating sleep apnea. CPAP therapy involves delivering continuous positive airway pressure through a machine to keep the airway open. CPAP decreases the number of times your breathing stops during sleep. It can also reduce the risk of associated complications of sleep apnea and improve quality of life by reducing symptoms such as morning headaches and fatigue.
Although it may take a short period of time to get used to wearing CPAP, different types and sizes of masks or nasal pillows are available to make wearing CPAP easier. Visit The CPAP Shop for a variety of CPAP machines and accessories to meet your needs.
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References
- National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. (2025). Sleep Apnea Causes and Risk Factors. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/sleep-apnea/causes
- Geer JH, Hilbert J. Gender Issues in Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Yale J Biol Med. 2021 Sep 30;94(3):487-496. PMID: 34602886; PMCID: PMC8461585. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8461585/
- Mitra AK, Bhuiyan AR, Jones EA. Association and Risk Factors for Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Cardiovascular Diseases: A Systematic Review. Diseases. 2021 Dec 2;9(4):88. doi: 10.3390/diseases9040088. PMID: 34940026; PMCID: PMC8700568. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8700568/
