Sleep Apnea: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment Options Explained

Recognize the warning signs of obstructive and central sleep apnea. Learn about home sleep tests, polysomnography, CPAP therapy, and lifestyle changes that improve your sleep.

What Is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. An estimated 30 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea, yet 80% of moderate-to-severe cases remain undiagnosed.

Common sleep apnea symptoms:

1. Loud, chronic snoring
2. Witnessed pauses in breathing during sleep
3. Gasping or choking awake at night
4. Excessive daytime sleepiness
5. Morning headaches
6. Difficulty concentrating and irritability

Types of Sleep Apnea

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) — The most common type, occurring when throat muscles relax and block the upper airway during sleep. Accounts for 84% of cases.

Central Sleep Apnea (CSA) — Occurs when the brain fails to send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing. Less common but can be more complex to treat.

Complex Sleep Apnea Syndrome — A combination of both OSA and CSA, sometimes called treatment-emergent central sleep apnea.

Warning Signs and Symptoms

Nighttime Symptoms

• Loud, chronic snoring (especially in OSA)
• Witnessed breathing pauses reported by bed partner
• Gasping or choking during sleep
• Restless sleep with frequent awakenings
• Night sweats
• Frequent urination during the night (nocturia)

Daytime Symptoms

• Excessive daytime sleepiness (falling asleep at work, while driving)
• Morning headaches
• Dry mouth or sore throat upon waking
• Difficulty concentrating or memory problems
• Mood changes — irritability, depression, anxiety
• Decreased libido

Risk Factors

• Obesity — Excess weight is the #1 risk factor for OSA
• Age — Risk increases after age 40
• Male gender — Men are 2-3x more likely to develop OSA
• Neck circumference — Greater than 17 inches (men) or 16 inches (women)
• Family history of sleep apnea
• Alcohol and sedative use — Relaxes throat muscles
• Smoking — Increases inflammation and fluid retention
• Nasal congestion — Chronic allergies or deviated septum

How Is Sleep Apnea Diagnosed?

Home Sleep Test (HST)

A home sleep test is a simplified, convenient option for diagnosing moderate-to-severe OSA. The test kit typically includes:

• A nasal cannula to measure airflow
• A chest belt to detect breathing effort
• A pulse oximeter to measure blood oxygen levels
• A body position sensor

Advantages: Convenient, affordable ($150-$500), done in your own bed

Limitations: May not detect mild OSA or central sleep apnea

In-Lab Polysomnography (PSG)

Considered the gold standard, a polysomnography is an overnight study conducted in a sleep lab. It monitors:

• Brain waves (EEG)
• Eye movements (EOG)
• Muscle activity (EMG)
• Heart rate and rhythm (ECG)
• Breathing patterns
• Blood oxygen levels
• Body position and leg movements

Advantages: Most comprehensive, detects all types of sleep apnea

Limitations: More expensive ($1,000-$3,000), requires overnight stay

Understanding Your Results: AHI Score

The Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) measures the severity of your sleep apnea:

AHI Score	Severity	Treatment Approach
< 5	Normal	No treatment needed
5-14	Mild	Lifestyle changes, positional therapy
15-29	Moderate	CPAP therapy recommended
30+	Severe	CPAP therapy strongly recommended

Treatment Options

CPAP Therapy (First-Line Treatment)

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) is the most effective treatment for moderate-to-severe OSA. A CPAP machine delivers pressurized air through a mask to keep your airway open.

Benefits of CPAP Therapy:

• Eliminates snoring and breathing pauses
• Reduces daytime sleepiness
• Lowers blood pressure
• Decreases risk of heart attack and stroke
• Improves mood and cognitive function

BiPAP Therapy

For patients who struggle with CPAP, BiPAP (Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure) delivers different pressures for inhalation and exhalation, making breathing more natural.

Oral Appliance Therapy

Custom-fitted dental devices that reposition the jaw to keep the airway open. Best for mild-to-moderate OSA or patients who cannot tolerate CPAP.

Lifestyle Modifications

• Weight loss — Losing 10% of body weight can reduce AHI by 26-50%
• Sleep position — Side sleeping reduces airway collapse
• Avoid alcohol before bedtime
• Regular exercise — Even without weight loss, exercise reduces AHI
• Quit smoking

Surgical Options

For severe cases unresponsive to other treatments:

• UPPP — Removal of excess tissue in the throat
• Inspire Therapy — Implanted nerve stimulator for the tongue
• Maxillomandibular advancement — Jaw repositioning surgery

The Dangers of Untreated Sleep Apnea

Untreated sleep apnea significantly increases your risk of:

• Heart attack — 3x higher risk
• Stroke — 4x higher risk
• Type 2 diabetes — 2x higher risk
• Motor vehicle accidents — 6x higher risk due to drowsiness
• Atrial fibrillation
• Cognitive decline and dementia

When to See a Doctor

Consult a sleep specialist if you experience:

• Chronic loud snoring
• Observed breathing pauses during sleep
• Excessive daytime sleepiness
• Morning headaches that persist
• Difficulty staying asleep

Early diagnosis and treatment dramatically improve quality of life and reduce serious health risks.

Browse our CPAP machines and CPAP masks or call (877)699-4365 to discuss your sleep apnea treatment options.