I snore. Does that mean I have sleep apnea?

Snoring by itself doesn't necessarily mean that you have sleep apnea. It is true that loud snoring is common in people with this disorder, but there's a big difference between simple snoring and sleep apnea.

What is sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is a serious disorder that causes your breathing to stop repeatedly while you sleep. These breathing pauses or "apneas" usually last 10 to 30 seconds and can happen many times throughout the night.

The most common type of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea, which happens when the upper airway gets blocked during sleep. Often, the blockage happens when the soft tissue in the back of the throat collapses and closes during sleep. Relaxed throat muscles, a narrow airway, a large tongue or extra fatty tissue in the throat can also block the airway. Central apnea and mixed apnea are other types of sleep apnea, but are more rare.

Are you at risk?

Snoring followed by silent pauses and daytime sleepiness are strong signs that you might have sleep apnea. You may feel very tired and sleepy during the day because your sleep is disrupted throughout the night,. You may even fall asleep at the wrong times, for example while at work or while driving. Sleep apnea is common and affects men, women and children of all ages, but many people don't realize they have it.

Signs and symptoms of sleep apnea

Family members or bed partners often pick up on the signs of sleep apnea first. Many people with sleep apnea don't know they're snoring and gasping for breath at night. If you have any of the following signs, see your doctor:

• daytime sleepiness
• loud snoring followed by silent pauses
• gasping or choking during sleep
• morning headache
• irritability or mood changes
• poor concentration or memory loss
• lowered sex drive
• falling asleep while driving

Is sleep apnea dangerous?

Yes. Untreated sleep apnea can cause serious health problems. If it's not treated, sleep apnea can lead to:

• high blood pressure
• stroke
• heart attack
• traffic accidents
• depression
• decreased sexual function
• work-related accidents

Is sleep apnea treatable?

Yes. There are easy and effective treatments for sleep apnea. Your treatment will depend on whether your sleep apnea is mild, moderate or severe. Your doctor can help you choose the best treatment for you. The most common treatment for sleep apnea is CPAP or continuous positive airway pressure. CPAP involves wearing a special mask that keeps the throat open and stops the snoring and pauses in breathing.

The key is to confirm whether you have sleep apnea so you can start treatment. If you have any of the signs and symptoms listed above, see your doctor. Your doctor may send you for overnight testing at a sleep disorder centre where your condition can be studied thoroughly. You may also be required to do some home tests.

Other ways to help reduce sleep apnea symptoms:

• Avoid alcohol, caffeine and sleeping pills
• If you are overweight, lose weight
• Sleep on your side instead of on your back
• Stop smoking
• Stick to a regular sleep schedule

Additional resources

• Will changing my lifestyle help with my sleep apnea?
• Is there a link between sleep apnea and heart attack?