What is sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea is a condition in which breathing repeatedly stops or becomes very shallow during sleep. The most common type, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), happens when the throat muscles relax and the airway collapses. Each pause lowers oxygen levels and briefly wakes the brain, often without the person knowing.
Common symptoms
- Loud, regular snoring.
- Pauses in breathing, choking or gasping noticed by a partner.
- Waking unrefreshed and feeling sleepy during the day.
- Morning headaches, dry mouth and poor concentration.
- Waking frequently at night to urinate.
Why it matters
Untreated sleep apnea is linked to high blood pressure, heart rhythm problems, heart disease, stroke, poorly controlled diabetes, low mood and road accidents caused by drowsiness.
Diagnosis and treatment
- A sleep study (polysomnography or a home sleep test) confirms the diagnosis and its severity.
- Weight reduction, avoiding alcohol and sedatives at night, and side-sleeping help many patients.
- CPAP therapy, a small machine that keeps the airway open with gentle air pressure, is the most effective treatment for moderate to severe OSA.
- Oral appliances or surgery may suit selected patients.
If you feel sleepy while driving, stop and rest, and get evaluated for sleep apnea.
Frequently asked questions
Do thin people get sleep apnea?
Yes. Excess weight is a major risk factor, but jaw shape, a narrow airway, large tonsils and nasal blockage can cause sleep apnea in people of normal weight.
Is sleep apnea curable?
Some patients improve greatly with weight loss or treatment of the cause. For many, CPAP controls the condition very effectively as long as it is used regularly.
Medical disclaimer: This article is for general education and is not a substitute for a personal consultation. Do not start, stop or change any medication on the basis of this page. For advice specific to you, consult Dr. S.A. Rafi at City Chest Clinic, Mehdipatnam, Hyderabad.
20+ years of pulmonology practice in Hyderabad. Director of City Chest Clinic, Mehdipatnam and Chief Consultant Pulmonologist & Sleep Specialist at KIMS Hospitals, Gachibowli.
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