Obstructive Sleep Apnea

April 9, 2026 | Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common sleep-related breathing disorder. People with obstructive sleep apnea repeatedly stop and start breathing while they sleep. These breath pauses are known as apneas. There are several types of sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the throat muscles relax and block the airway. This happens off and on many times during your sleep cycle. If you are frequently awakened during the night, odds are you won’t feel rested in the morning. This can lead to a wide range of symptoms, many of which can affect your daytime functioning. Over time, these symptoms can lead to dangerous and sometimes life-threatening complications. Anyone at any age can have obstructive sleep apnea. But it’s most common among middle-aged and older adults. Only about 1 in 50 children have obstructive sleep apnea. It’s also more common in men than in women.

April 9, 2026 | Obstructive sleep apnea happens when the muscles in the back of the throat relax too much to let you breathe properly. These muscles support the back of the roof of the mouth, known as the soft palate. The muscles also support the tongue and side walls of the throat. When the muscles relax, the airway narrows or closes as you breathe in. This can lower the level of oxygen in the blood and cause a buildup of carbon dioxide. Your brain senses this pause in breathing and briefly wakes you so that you can reopen your airway. This awakening is usually so brief that you don’t remember it. You may awaken with shortness of breath that corrects itself quickly, within one or two deep breaths. Or you might make a snorting, choking or gasping sound. People with obstructive sleep apnea might not be aware of their interrupted sleep. Many people with this type of sleep apnea don’t realize they haven’t slept well all night.

April 9, 2026 | While anyone can develop obstructive sleep apnea, certain factors can put you at an increased risk for the condition. Most but not all people with obstructive sleep apnea are overweight. Fat deposits around the upper airway can obstruct breathing. Medical conditions that are associated with obesity, such as hypothyroidism and polycystic ovary syndrome, also can cause obstructive sleep apnea. The risk of obstructive sleep apnea increases as you age but appears to level off after your 60s and 70s. Because of a lack of restorative sleep at night, people with obstructive sleep apnea often have severe daytime drowsiness, irritability and decreased interest in sex. They might have memory concerns and difficulty concentrating. They may find themselves falling asleep at work, while watching TV or even when driving. It can also lead to potentially fatal work-related accidents and motor vehicle accidents.

April 9, 2026 | Snoring is one of the biggest symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea. Fortunately, snoring doesn’t always indicate something potentially serious, and not everyone who snores has obstructive sleep apnea. Be sure to talk to your health care professional if you snore loudly, especially if your snoring is interrupted by periods of silence. People with obstructive sleep apnea may also wake up in the morning with a dry mouth or suffer from morning headaches. They may also have mood changes and trouble focusing. You should also consult with your health care professional if you find yourself waking up gasping or choking or pausing in your breathing during sleep. Ask your health care professional about any sleep issues that leave you fatigued, sleepy and irritable on a regular basis. Excessive daytime drowsiness may be due to other conditions, such as narcolepsy. These conditions are treated separately.

April 9, 2026 | If you have obstructive sleep apnea or know someone who does, there are several options to help keep your breathing consistent and reduce apnea episodes. One of the most popular choices is sleeping with a CPAP, or continuous positive airway pressure, machine and mask. This treatment gives a constant flow of air to help keep your airway open. An oral appliance can be custom fit by your dentist or orthodontist to help keep your airways open while you sleep. One surgical procedure can get rid of extra tissues that can block airways while another can repair problems that cause obstructions when you breathe or create a wider airway. Children with OSA typically see their symptoms improve after their tonsils and adenoids are removed. You will probably need a sleep study to properly diagnose obstructive sleep apnea. This means you will be kept track of while you sleep, either at a hospital or at a sleep center.