Sleep Apnea Symptoms and Treatments: Complete Guide
Recognize the warning signs and find the right treatment for your situation
Sleep apnea affects over 30 million Americans and 936 million adults worldwide. Yet 80–90% of cases remain undiagnosed. The symptoms are easy to miss because they happen while you sleep. This guide helps you recognize the signs and find the right treatment for your severity level.
- The top 3 symptoms: loud snoring, breathing pauses, and daytime fatigue
- Your partner is often the first to notice the signs
- A simple home sleep test can confirm the diagnosis
- Treatment depends on severity: nasal stents for mild, CPAP for severe
- Untreated sleep apnea raises the risk of heart disease and stroke
Symptoms You Feel
Sleep apnea disrupts your rest all night, even if you don't remember waking up. The effects show up during the day:
- Extreme daytime tiredness — despite sleeping 7–8 hours, you feel exhausted
- Morning headaches — caused by low oxygen levels overnight
- Difficulty concentrating — brain fog, memory problems, trouble focusing
- Irritability and mood swings — sleep fragmentation affects emotional regulation
- Dry mouth or sore throat — from mouth breathing all night
- Decreased sex drive — fatigue and hormonal changes from poor sleep
- Falling asleep unintentionally — while reading, watching TV, or even driving
Symptoms Your Partner Notices
Many sleep apnea patients first learn about their condition from their bed partner. Watch for:
- Loud, chronic snoring — especially snoring that can be heard through walls
- Breathing pauses — scary moments where you stop breathing for 10+ seconds
- Gasping or choking sounds — as your body restarts breathing
- Restless movement — thrashing, kicking, or frequent position changes
- Sweating — your body works harder to breathe
If you're not sure whether you have sleep apnea, ask your partner these questions: "Do I snore loudly?" "Have you noticed me stop breathing?" "Do I gasp or choke during sleep?" Their answers can guide your next step. Take our free sleep risk screening for a quick assessment.
Risk Factors
You're more likely to develop sleep apnea if you have:
Physical Factors
Excess weight (BMI above 25), thick neck (over 43 cm in men, 38 cm in women), large tonsils, recessed jaw
Demographics
Male sex (2x more common), age over 50, family history of sleep apnea, postmenopausal women
Lifestyle
Smoking, alcohol use before bed, sedative medications, sleeping on your back
Medical Conditions
High blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, chronic nasal congestion, heart failure, hypothyroidism
Getting Diagnosed
Home Sleep Test
A small device you wear for 1–2 nights at home. It measures airflow, breathing effort, and blood oxygen. This is the easiest way to confirm moderate to severe sleep apnea. Results come within days. Learn about testing options.
In-Lab Sleep Study
For complex cases, your doctor may recommend an overnight lab study (polysomnography). This monitors brain waves, eye movements, heart rate, and breathing in detail.
Understanding Your Results
Your main result is the AHI (Apnea-Hypopnea Index): Normal is under 5. Mild is 5–14. Moderate is 15–29. Severe is 30+.
Treatment by Severity
Mild Sleep Apnea (AHI 5–14)
Mild cases often respond well to less invasive treatments:
- Nasal stent: A soft tube you insert into your nostril. Keeps the airway open from the inside. The Back2Sleep nasal stent works from night one and is CE-certified for mild to moderate sleep apnea.
- Positional therapy: Sleep on your side instead of your back. About 50% of mild cases are positional.
- Weight loss: Losing 10% of body weight significantly reduces AHI in overweight patients.
- Mouth exercises: Daily practice strengthens airway muscles over 3 months.
Moderate Sleep Apnea (AHI 15–29)
- Oral appliance (MAD): A dental device that holds your jaw forward. Equally effective as CPAP for moderate OSA.
- Nasal stent + other treatments: Combining approaches works well for this range.
- CPAP: If simpler treatments don't reduce AHI enough.
Severe Sleep Apnea (AHI 30+)
- CPAP: The primary treatment for severe cases. Keeps the airway open with pressurized air.
- Surgery: For patients who can't tolerate CPAP. Options include tissue removal, nerve stimulation (Inspire), or jaw advancement.
See our full treatment comparison or learn about alternatives to CPAP.
Health Consequences of Untreated Sleep Apnea
| Health Risk | How OSA Contributes | Key Statistic |
|---|---|---|
| High Blood Pressure | Repeated oxygen drops trigger stress hormones that raise blood pressure | 30–50% of hypertension patients have OSA |
| Heart Disease | Oxygen fluctuations and inflammation damage blood vessels | 76–109% higher cardiovascular event risk |
| Stroke | Blood pressure surges and irregular heart rhythms increase risk | 2–3x higher stroke risk with severe OSA |
| Type 2 Diabetes | Sleep disruption worsens insulin resistance | OSA found in 71% of type 2 diabetes patients |
| Car Accidents | Daytime sleepiness impairs reaction time | 2–7x higher crash risk with untreated OSA |
Learn more about sleep apnea and blood pressure and snoring and heart health.
Lifestyle Changes That Help
- Lose weight if overweight — every kilogram helps
- Avoid alcohol 3–4 hours before bed
- Quit smoking to reduce airway inflammation
- Sleep on your side rather than your back
- Exercise regularly — even without weight loss, exercise improves AHI
- Treat nasal congestion with saline spray, humidifier, or allergy medication
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the first signs of sleep apnea?
The most common early signs are loud snoring, feeling extremely tired during the day despite sleeping enough, and morning headaches. A bed partner may notice breathing pauses or gasping during your sleep.
Can sleep apnea go away on its own?
In some cases, yes. If weight gain caused your sleep apnea, losing that weight can resolve it. However, most cases require ongoing treatment. It's important to get diagnosed rather than hoping it will disappear.
What is the best sleeping position for sleep apnea?
Side sleeping is best. It keeps your tongue from falling back into your throat. Avoid sleeping on your back, which worsens airway collapse. Elevating your head 10-15 cm also helps.
How is sleep apnea different from snoring?
Simple snoring is just noise from vibrating tissues. Sleep apnea involves actual breathing pauses that drop your oxygen levels. Not everyone who snores has sleep apnea, but nearly everyone with sleep apnea snores.
Is sleep apnea hereditary?
Genetics play a role. Family history of sleep apnea, jaw structure, and airway anatomy can be inherited. If a parent or sibling has OSA, your risk is higher.
Can children have sleep apnea?
Yes. In children, enlarged tonsils and adenoids are the most common cause. Symptoms include snoring, mouth breathing, restless sleep, and behavioral problems. Tonsil removal often resolves childhood OSA.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Snoring can be a symptom of obstructive sleep apnea, a serious medical condition. If you suspect sleep apnea, consult a healthcare professional. Back2Sleep is a CE-certified Class I medical device intended for the treatment of snoring and mild to moderate sleep apnea.
Ready for quieter nights? Discover the Back2Sleep starter kit and find the right fit for you.
Not sure if you are at risk? Take our sleep risk screening to find out in just a few minutes.
Want to learn how it works? Explore the Back2Sleep nasal stent designed for comfortable, effective relief.
