Sleep Apnea: Symptoms, Causes, & Treatments

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Sleep apnea is a disorder in which a person’s breathing temporarily decreases or stops while they sleep. People with sleep apnea have many episodes of abnormal breathing during a night of sleep and may not get the oxygen that their body needs. As a result, people with sleep apnea often do not get restful sleep and are tired during the day.

Untreated sleep apnea can also lead to serious health consequences. To reduce the risk of side effects and long-term health consequences, it is important for people with symptoms of sleep apnea to talk to their doctor. Treating sleep apnea can help relieve symptoms and improve sleep quality.

We take a closer look at sleep apnea, including how this condition is diagnosed and treated, as well as tips for living with this sleep disorder.

There are three types of sleep apnea: obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea, and mixed sleep apnea. The type of sleep apnea is diagnosed based on the cause of a person’s breathing disruptions.

• Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA): OSA occurs when a person’s airway becomes partially or completely blocked repeatedly while they sleep, causing their breathing to become abnormally shallow or absent. Airway blockages may be caused by structures in the throat, excess weight in the face or neck, or other changes that constrict the airway. About 10% to 30% of adults in the United States have obstructive sleep apnea.
• Central sleep apnea (CSA): CSA is caused by an issue in a part of the brain called the brain stem, which controls a person’s breathing. Problems in the brain stem trigger the sleeper’s respiration to slow or stop for brief periods. Central sleep apnea is less common than OSA, affecting less than 1% of people.
• Mixed sleep apnea: Some people experience symptoms of both CSA and OSA, a condition called mixed sleep apnea. Because episodes of mixed sleep apnea typically begin as OSA, this condition is treated like OSA.

The symptoms of sleep apnea depend on whether a person is experiencing obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea, or mixed sleep apnea. However, these types of sleep apnea share some common symptoms, such as:

• Excessive daytime sleepiness or napping at inappropriate times
• Disrupted sleep and frequent nighttime waking
• Waking up with a headache
• Difficulties with concentration

Symptoms associated with obstructive sleep apnea include:

• Snoring loudly
• Waking up gasping or making choking sounds
• Dry mouth in the morning
• Getting out of bed to urinate several times

People with central sleep apnea may not notice symptoms until they are pointed out by someone who sees the person sleep. Caregivers or bed partners may notice that a sleeper’s breathing gets slower, faster, or stops while they are asleep. Sleepers with CSA may also experience nighttime chest pains.

Does Snoring Mean You Have Sleep Apnea?

Snoring is common, and does not necessarily mean that you have sleep apnea. There are many other causes of snoring, including nasal congestion, pregnancy, and drinking alcohol before bed.

Almost everyone snores on occasion. Snorers who do not have sleep apnea rarely wake up due to snoring or difficulty breathing. As a result, they are not overly sleepy during the day like individuals with sleep apnea.

People with sleep apnea tend to snore loudly and continuously, and they often wake up choking or gasping for air. Their snoring may be loud enough to be heard through walls and doors.

When to See a Doctor

A doctor can determine if a person’s symptoms are a result of sleep apnea or a different health condition. Several symptoms of sleep apnea, like daytime sleepiness and snoring, can also be caused by other conditions. Depending on the results of an evaluation, a doctor may suggest undergoing additional testing or working with a sleep specialist.

For people diagnosed with sleep apnea, it is important to maintain communication with a doctor or sleep specialist. Doctors should be notified if treatments for sleep apnea do not reduce symptoms, if new symptoms develop, or if current symptoms get worse.

Research has found several factors that can increase a person’s risk of developing obstructive or central sleep apnea.

Risk Factors for Obstructive Sleep Apnea

There are multiple risk factors for obstructive sleep apnea.

• Age: A person’s chances of developing OSA goes up as they get older, reaching its peak in their 60s and 70s.
• Sex: OSA is generally more common in men or people assigned male at birth.
• Body weight: A person’s likelihood of developing OSA increases as they gain weight. Nearly 60% of moderate to severe cases of OSA are related to obesity.
• Anatomical features: Physical differences like an abnormal or small jaw, enlarged tonsils, or the shape of a person’s face may increase their chance of having OSA.

Other risk factors for OSA include smoking tobacco or drinking alcohol, a family history of OSA, failure of the heart or kidneys, and certain health conditions that affect hormone levels.

Risk Factors for Central Sleep Apnea

Central sleep apnea has some of the same risk factors as obstructive sleep apnea, but it is also associated with certain health conditions and other factors.

• Health conditions: CSA can be caused by an infection or injury to the brain stem, a stroke, kidney or heart failure, or an overproduction of growth hormones.
• Age: Symptoms of CSA are more common in people over the age of 65.
• Sex: Men or people assigned male at birth are at a higher risk of CSA.
• Use of certain drugs: Certain medications can increase the risk of CSA, including prescription and illicit opioids as well as some antidepressants.
• Being at high altitude: CSA can also be seen in otherwise healthy people when they spend time at high altitudes.

Is Sleep Apnea Genetic?

Certain risk factors for obstructive sleep apnea are genetic. Compared to those without a family history of OSA, people who have an immediate relative with obstructive sleep apnea are two times more likely to develop this condition.

Researchers believe that patterns of OSA within families are at least partially linked to shared facial and body structure, as well as a family’s eating habits and patterns of physical activity.

Although there are no known genetic or familial factors involved in central sleep apnea, a genetic condition called congenital central hypoventilation syndrome may raise the risk of CSA.

In order to diagnose sleep apnea, a doctor or specialist will begin by collecting a detailed medical history and conducting a physical examination. Although a person’s medical history, symptoms, and the results of an exam can provide information about the likelihood of sleep apnea, a sleep study is needed to confirm the diagnosis.

The preferred type of sleep study for diagnosing sleep apnea is called polysomnography. Polysomnography is an overnight procedure that takes place in a specialized sleep laboratory.

During polysomnography, a technician places electrodes on various parts of the body to collect information about breathing, heart rate, body movements, sleep stages, and other changes that occur during sleep. The results of polysomnography are used to diagnose the type and severity of sleep apnea, and to develop a plan for treatment.

Sleep Apnea Testing at Home

Doctors may recommend a home sleep apnea test instead of a laboratory sleep study for people who are highly likely to have moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea. Testing at home is not an option for people suspected of having central sleep apnea.

The benefits of testing for sleep apnea include the convenience of testing in a person’s home and not having to stay overnight in a sleep laboratory. Drawbacks for testing at home include fewer measurements compared to laboratory testing, which may increase the risk of misinterpreting test results, as well as the need for results to be taken to a sleep specialist for interpretation.

Treatment for central and obstructive sleep apnea is used to resolve breathing issues, reduce other symptoms, and decrease a person’s risk of developing health complications.

OSA is managed as a chronic health condition and treatments differ based on the severity of the breathing disruptions and a person’s individual needs.

• Positive airway pressure: Positive airway pressure (PAP) is the most effective treatment for OSA. PAP devices keep a person’s airway open at night by using pressurized air pumped through a medical device and mask. Common types of PAP include continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), auto-titrating positive airway pressure (APAP), and bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP) devices.
• Oral appliances: Oral appliances are helpful for some people with OSA. These devices keep the airway open by pushing the jaw forward or repositioning the tongue. A dentist or oral surgeon must select and fit the correct dental appliance for each individual.
• Surgery: Surgery may be considered when a person does not respond to CPAP therapy or oral appliances, or when the airway obstruction is caused by a structure that can be surgically removed. Doctors may also implant a nerve-stimulating device that keeps the breathing passage open.
• Lifestyle changes: In addition to other treatments, doctors typically recommend lifestyle changes that can decrease OSA, such as dieting and exercise for people who are overweight, avoiding alcohol, and not sleeping on the back.

For people diagnosed with mild symptoms of central sleep apnea, treatment is typically directed at the underlying medical issue that is causing breathing disruptions. For severe CSA or symptoms that do not respond to treatment, a doctor may recommend a PAP device, supplemental oxygen during sleep, or medication.

Can Sleep Apnea Be Cured?

Sleep apnea is typically a chronic condition that cannot be cured. However, there are treatments available that can reduce or resolve symptoms and help people with sleep apnea improve both their sleep and overall health.

Living with sleep apnea may require people to make significant changes to their lifestyle and daily routine. Losing weight, exercising, quitting smoking, and using a positive airway pressure or oral device all take time, energy, and a commitment to better health.

Although sleep apnea treatments like CPAP therapy can improve health and quality of life for most people with OSA, up to 40% of individuals do not use their CPAP device. On average, those who do use their sleep apnea machine do so for only four hours a night, which may be insufficient to experience the full benefits of therapy.

People diagnosed with sleep apnea must also be cautious when driving a car or operating machinery. Excessive sleepiness and difficulty maintaining concentration can lead to accidents, so people with sleep apnea should avoid driving and other potentially dangerous situations when they are feeling sleepy.

Fortunately, working closely with a doctor can help people living with sleep apnea to sleep better and experience meaningful improvements in their symptoms. A doctor can ensure that treatment is effective and monitor individuals for complications or other health conditions that could exacerbate breathing problems.

About The Author

Dr. Michael Breus

Clinical Psychologist, Sleep Medicine Expert

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Michael Breus, Ph.D is a Diplomate of the American Board of Sleep Medicine and a Fellow of The American Academy of Sleep Medicine and one of only 168 psychologists to pass the Sleep Medical Specialty Board without going to medical school. He holds a BA in Psychology from Skidmore College, and PhD in Clinical Psychology from The University of Georgia. Dr. Breus has been in private practice as a sleep doctor for nearly 25 years. Dr. Breus is a sought after lecturer and his knowledge is shared daily in major national media worldwide including Today, Dr. Oz, Oprah, and for fourteen years as the sleep expert on WebMD. Dr. Breus is also the bestselling author of The Power of When, The Sleep Doctor’s Diet Plan, Good Night!, and Energize!

• POSITION: Combination Sleeper
• TEMPERATURE: Hot Sleeper
• CHRONOTYPE: Wolf

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