Signs of Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder that is estimated to affect 10-30% of adults in the United States. In addition to the commonality of this disorder, many who suffer from sleep apnea go undiagnosed.¹

The word “apnea” comes from the Greek word for “breathless.” This term came about because sleep apnea causes you to stop breathing in the middle of your sleep.²

In this article, we share some facts about sleep apnea as well as its symptoms. We’ll also give you some advice on how to know if you have sleep apnea, as well as diagnosis and treatment options.

What is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a sleep-related breathing disorder where those affected experience pauses or reductions in their breathing while asleep. It’s likely that those with sleep apnea have periods where their breathing stops and starts back up again while they’re asleep.³

When your brain does not receive enough oxygen, it will initiate a survival reflex. This reflex will wake you up and tell you to start breathing. However, this results in a lack of sleep that disrupts your natural sleep cycle.²

Sleep apnea can range from mild to severe. Those with mild sleep apnea may have between 5 and 15 “apnea” events per hour and they may show subtle signs of sleep apnea or none at all. Those with sleep apnea likely have 30 or more “apnea” episodes per hour, as well as show more noticeable symptoms of sleep apnea.

Who is at risk for Sleep Apnea?

Anyone at any age can be diagnosed with sleep apnea. However, certain factors will put individuals more at risk.⁴

Older age
Obesity
African American or Hispanic descent
Having a heart condition such as congestive heart failure
Allergies
Thyroid problems
Large tonsils
Family history of sleep apnea
Pregnancy

Types of Sleep Apnea

There are two types of sleep apnea.⁵

Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common type. This is when your upper airway becomes blocked many times while you’re asleep. Obstructive sleep apnea causes your body’s airflow to reduce or completely stop. This could occur due to factors that narrow the airways including obesity, hormone changes, and large tonsils.
Central sleep apnea occurs when the brain doesn’t send signals for you to breathe. This type of sleep apnea is caused by certain health conditions that affect the brain’s ability to control your airways and chest muscles.

Some of the signs and symptoms of sleep apnea include⁶:

Loud snoring
Gasping for air during sleep
Times in which you stop breathing when you sleep – this would be reported/noticed by another person
Waking up repeatedly in the middle of the night
Night sweats
Waking up with a dry mouth
Waking up with a headache
Insomnia
Fatigue during the day
Difficulty paying attention during the day
Mood changes
Irritability

Although most of these symptoms are common across the board, there are some symptoms of sleep apnea in women that occur more frequently than they do in men. Women are more likely to report symptoms of headache, fatigue, and insomnia, whereas men report more snoring and gasping.

Take the time to learn more about the potential signs and symptoms of sleep apnea. If you or a loved one experience any of these symptoms, talk with a medical professional for a proper diagnosis.

Diagnosing Sleep Apnea

If your doctor notices any subtle signs of sleep apnea, they will try to rule out other health concerns first. They will talk to you about your medical history and perform a physical exam. A doctor may also ask if you’ve recently traveled to areas with high altitudes, as this can affect your sleep.

Your doctor will then refer you to a sleep specialist or have you participate in a sleep study. A sleep study monitors you while you sleep to examine your body’s oxygen levels, heart and brain activity, as well as the muscles that control your breathing.⁷

The test will also keep track of how many “apnea” events you have while sleeping. Based on your symptoms and number of “apnea” events, your doctor can diagnose you and discuss treatment options.

Treatment for Sleep Apnea

Treatment for sleep apnea is important to improve your sleep quality, but also to reduce your risk of additional health concerns. If sleep apnea is left untreated, it can lead to more serious complications including high blood pressure and heart problems.⁸

The most common type of treatment for sleep apnea is called positive airway pressure treatment. Doctors will often prescribe a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine to help their patients reduce the symptoms of sleep apnea and get better sleep at night. A CPAP machine aims to increase the body’s airflow and oxygen levels while improving your sleep at night.⁹

When using a CPAP machine, you will wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth at night time. A hose connects the mask to the machine. The machine collects, filters, and pressurizes air before sending it to your airway. Although there are other types of machines, they are more complex. Doctors typically recommend beginning with a CPAP machine because it is the most user-friendly.

In addition to a machine, doctors also recommend lifestyle changes that can reduce your symptoms of sleep apnea including:

Regular exercise
Sleeping on your side
Avoiding alcohol
Avoiding smoking

About Saber Healthcare

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Saber Healthcare is an organization dedicated to providing consultant services to long-term care providers. This article is for informational purposes and is not meant to be seen as professional advice. Please consult with a medical expert before relying on the information provided.

Sources

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Benisek, Alexandra. “Sleep Apnea.” Web MD, webmd.com. September 7^th, 2021. Accessed March 3^rd, 2023. https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/sleep-apnea/sleep-apnea.
Sleep apnea.” Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, Mayo Clinic. Accessed March 3rd, 2023. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sleep-apnea/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20377636.
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