What Is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a serious sleep-related breathing disorder where airflow is repeatedly blocked during the night. The most common form, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), occurs when the soft tissues in the throat relax too much, temporarily closing the airway despite the body’s effort to breathe. A single episode is defined as a complete or partial stop in airflow lasting at least 10 seconds. This can happen dozens—or even hundreds—of times per hour, severely disrupting restful sleep.

What Does Sleep Apnea Look Like?

Many people with sleep apnea snore loudly, followed by silent pauses when breathing stops. Bed partners may notice the sleeper gasping or choking suddenly. These episodes often cause micro-awakenings that the person may not remember, but they prevent deep, restorative sleep and can lead to extreme daytime fatigue.

The Health Risks of Untreated Sleep Apnea

When airflow is blocked, oxygen levels drop, triggering a stress response in the body. This activates the fight-or-flight system, which raises blood pressure and puts added strain on the heart. Over time, untreated sleep apnea is linked to increased risks for heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and premature death.

How Common Is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is more widespread than many realize:
– Up to 25% of middle-aged men and 9% of women have OSA
– Around 1 in 5 adults has at least mild sleep apnea
– Only a small percentage—possibly just 5%—are ever formally diagnosed
– Untreated OSA makes you 4x more likely to suffer a stroke and 3x more likely to develop heart disease
– Half of people with high blood pressure may also have undiagnosed sleep apnea
– Those with OSA are 6x more likely to be involved in car accidents due to daytime drowsiness

Who Is at Risk for Sleep Apnea?

Anyone can develop sleep apnea, but certain traits increase your risk:
– Breathing through the mouth during sleep (often due to nasal blockage)
– Being overweight (though thin individuals can have OSA too)
– Larger neck circumference (17″+ for men, 16″+ for women)
– Family history of snoring or OSA
– Alcohol, sedatives, or smoking (all relax airway muscles or cause inflammation)
– Male gender (men are twice as likely, though the gap narrows with age)
– Being over 40 years old
– Naturally narrow airways or enlarged tonsils/adenoids (especially in children)
– Certain jaw structures such as retrognathia (a recessed lower jaw)

What Are the Symptoms?

Many people with sleep apnea are unaware they have it. Symptoms include:
– Loud snoring followed by silent pauses
– Choking or gasping during sleep
– Excessive tiredness during the day
– Waking up with headaches or dry mouth

Types of Sleep Breathing Disorders

There are three main types:
– Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): Throat muscles collapse, blocking the airway. Treated with oral appliances, CPAP, lifestyle changes, or surgery.
– Central Sleep Apnea (CSA): The brain fails to send proper signals to breathing muscles. Often related to underlying medical conditions and treated with CPAP, BiPAP, or supplemental oxygen.
– Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (UARS): Narrowing of the airway increases resistance but not complete blockage. Seen as a transitional stage between snoring and full OSA.

Measuring Sleep Apnea

Severity is measured by the Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI)—the number of times breathing is reduced or stops each hour. A sleep study will also assess oxygen saturation and help determine whether the sleep apnea is mild, moderate, or severe.

Health Impact of Untreated Sleep Apnea

Without treatment, OSA increases the risk of high blood pressure, heart issues, insulin resistance, and shortened life expectancy—possibly by 10 years or more. It’s suspected that over 90% of people with OSA remain undiagnosed.

When to Get Evaluated

If you or someone you love experiences signs or has several risk factors, it’s time to consult a sleep-trained healthcare provider. A sleep study—often available at home—is the best way to confirm the condition and explore treatment options.