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Sleep apnea is a condition in which breathing during sleep becomes weaker or temporarily stops. It can cause symptoms such as snoring, restless sleep and daytime fatigue. Here you will find information about symptoms, risk factors, investigation and treatment.
What is sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea is a condition in which breathing repeatedly becomes too weak or even stops during sleep. The most common form is obstructive sleep apnea. In obstructive sleep apnea, the upper airway narrows or temporarily collapses when the muscles relax during sleep.
The body responds by briefly awakening to start breathing when the airflow is obstructed. You may not remember waking up, but you may notice that sleep gives you a feeling of less recovery. It can affect energy, concentration, mood and sometimes even blood pressure and cardiovascular health.
Common symptoms of sleep apnea
- you have loud or recurrent snoring
- you have breathing pauses that someone else has observed
- you gasp for air or wake up with a feeling of suffocation
- you have restless sleep and repeated awakenings during the night
- you experience dry mouth or headaches in the morning
- you have the need to urinate several times during the night
- you experience pronounced fatigue or sleepiness during the day
- you have difficulties with concentration, memory or patience
Some people seek treatment for fatigue, depression or difficulty concentrating without connecting the symptoms to sleep. Often falling asleep in front of the TV, in meetings or in other sedentary situations can be a sign. If you experience drowsiness while driving or working with machinery, these symptoms should always be taken seriously.
Why do you get sleep apnea?
In obstructive sleep apnea, the airway in the throat becomes too narrow during sleep. The risk of suffering from this increases if you are overweight, but it is not only overweight people who are affected. Narrow airways, large tonsils, the shape of the jaw and heredity can also play a role.
Also older age, drinking alcohol close to bedtime, smoking and sleeping on your back are other factors that can affect. Sleep apnea is also more common in people with, for example, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, atrial fibrillation, heart failure, stroke or hypothyroidism.
How do you know if you have sleep apnea if you sleep alone?
You may notice that you often wake up during the night, have a dry mouth or a headache in the morning and that you therefore do not feel rested. You may also notice that you become abnormally tired during the day or that you find it more difficult to focus.
Sleep trackers and smartwatches can sometimes show that your sleep has been disturbed, but they cannot confirm or rule out sleep apnea. If suspected, a medical assessment is needed via a doctor or your health center.
How is sleep apnea diagnosed?
Just looking at symptoms such as snoring and fatigue is not enough to make a diagnosis. The investigation begins with questions about sleep, symptoms, diseases and medications. A sleep recording is then usually done, often by yourself at home.
The examination measures breathing and oxygenation during the night, among other things. The results show how often breathing is disturbed and how much sleep is affected. The healthcare provider also assesses how the symptoms affect your everyday life and safety, for example if you are at risk of falling asleep while driving.
Treatment for sleep apnea
The treatment is adapted to how pronounced the symptoms are and what the underlying cause is. In a milder form of sleep apnea, weight loss if overweight, stopping smoking, drinking less alcohol in the evening and sleeping on your side can help reduce symptoms.
In more severe obstructive sleep apnea, CPAP is often the first-line treatment. It is a device with a mask that provides light air pressure and keeps the airway open during the night. Others may benefit from an apnea splint that moves the lower jaw forward. In some cases, surgery or other specialist treatment may be necessary.
When should you seek care?
You should contact healthcare if you snore heavily and are also tired or sleepy during the day, if someone has seen you stop breathing or if you wake up with a feeling of suffocation. You should also seek medical attention if you have recurring morning headaches or if you feel inexplicably tired despite getting enough sleep.
If your sleepiness affects your ability to drive, operate machinery, or perform other safety-sensitive tasks, you should seek medical attention immediately.
Sleep apnea is often treatable. An investigation can provide an explanation for long-term fatigue and help you get better sleep, more energy, and a safer everyday life.
