Snoring might seem harmless (if a little frustrating), but for millions of people, it’s actually a sign of sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a common but often missed condition that causes you to stop and start breathing while you sleep. These pauses can last a few seconds or longer and happen many times a night—disrupting your sleep and lowering your oxygen levels.
This can leave you feeling exhausted during the day and affect your overall health. The good news? Sleep apnea is treatable. Knowing the signs is the first step to getting help—and getting better rest.
What are the different types of sleep apnea?
There are 3 main types of sleep apnea:
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): The most common type. It happens when the soft tissue in the back of your throat relaxes too much during sleep and blocks your airway. You briefly wake up—often without realizing it—to reopen the airway.
- Central Sleep Apnea (CSA): This is less common. It happens when your brain doesn’t send the right signals to the muscles that control breathing, so you stop breathing for short periods.
- Complex (Mixed) Sleep Apnea: A combination of both OSA and CSA.
What are the symptoms of sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea symptoms can include:
- Loud or frequent snoring
- Gasping or choking sounds during sleep
- Pauses in breathing during sleep
- Waking up tired or groggy
- Daytime sleepiness or fatigue
- Morning headaches
- “Brain fog” or trouble concentrating
- Irritability or mood changes
- Waking up with a dry mouth or sore throat
Is sleep apnea serious if left untreated?
Yes. If left untreated, sleep apnea can raise your risk for:
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Type 2 diabetes
- Depression or mood disorders
- Memory problems and brain fog
- Weak immune system
- Daytime drowsiness and accidents
Is snoring always a sign of sleep apnea?
Not always. Snoring is common, but not everyone who snores has sleep apnea. Still, loud or frequent snoring—especially with choking or gasping—should be checked out.
What causes sleep apnea?
That depends on the type:
- OSA causes: Being overweight, large tonsils, a thick neck, older age, alcohol or sedative use, smoking, nasal congestion, or a family history
- CSA causes: Heart conditions, stroke, certain medications (especially narcotics), and older age
How is it diagnosed?
A sleep study is used to diagnose sleep apnea. It can be done in a sleep lab or at home with a monitoring device.
How is sleep apnea treated?
Treatment depends on the type and severity, and may include:
- Lifestyle changes like weight loss or avoiding alcohol and sedatives
- Sleeping on your side instead of your back
- CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) therapy to keep your airway open while you sleep
- Oral appliances that help keep your airway clear
- Inspire® therapy: A small, implanted device that gently stimulates your airway muscles to keep you breathing at night—no mask required
- Surgery to correct airway blockages
- Treating underlying conditions, especially in cases of Central Sleep Apnea
The bottom line
If you’re snoring a lot, feeling tired during the day, or notice pauses in your (or your partner’s) breathing at night, talk to your doctor. Sleep apnea is common—and very treatable. The sooner you get help, the sooner you can sleep better and feel better.
