Key Takeaways

• Sleep apnea is a disorder that causes repeated pauses in breathing during sleep, leading to fatigue, health issues, and poor sleep quality.
• There are three main types: obstructive, central, and complex, each with different causes and treatment approaches.
• Mobile Care Health provides personalized sleep evaluations, treatment plans, and ongoing support for managing sleep apnea.

You may think that feeling tired daily is normal, or that snoring is just a harmless habit. But in many cases, these could be signs of a serious condition known as sleep apnea. This common but often underdiagnosed disorder prevents restful sleep and increases the risk of chronic illness.

Sleep apnea can affect your energy, mood, memory, and heart health if left untreated. At Mobile Care Health, we help individuals identify sleep apnea, understand its impact, and take action toward better rest and long-term wellness.

What is sleep apnea

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder where a person’s breathing repeatedly stops and starts while asleep. These breathing interruptions typically last 10 seconds or longer and can happen dozens or even hundreds of times per night.

Each time breathing stops, oxygen levels in the blood drop. The brain briefly wakes the body to restart breathing, preventing the person from reaching deep, restorative stages of sleep.

This results in:

• Fragmented sleep
• Daytime fatigue and drowsiness
• Reduced mental clarity
• Increased risk for high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke

Sleep apnea often goes undiagnosed because people may not remember waking up, and they might not realize how disrupted their sleep has become.

Types of sleep apnea

There are three primary types of sleep apnea, each with different causes and treatment needs.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)

The most common type of sleep apnea is obstructive, when the muscles in the back of the throat relax too much during sleep. This causes the airway to narrow or collapse, blocking airflow.

OSA is often accompanied by:

• Loud snoring
• Gasping or choking during sleep
• Morning headaches
• Dry mouth
• Daytime exhaustion

Risk factors for OSA include being overweight, having a narrow airway, smoking, or a family history of sleep apnea.

Central sleep apnea (CSA)

In central sleep apnea, the issue is not a blocked airway. Instead, the brain fails to send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing, leading to pauses in breathing without any physical obstruction.

CSA is typically associated with:

• Heart failure
• Neurological disorders
• Opioid use
• High-altitude environments

It often requires a different treatment approach than OSA.

Complex or mixed sleep apnea

Complex sleep apnea is a combination of both obstructive and central sleep apnea. It typically begins as OSA and continues to include central pauses even after treatment for the obstructive component begins.

This type is more challenging to manage and may require advanced therapies.

Signs and symptoms of sleep apnea

People with sleep apnea may experience a variety of symptoms. Some are more obvious, while others are subtler and often misattributed to stress or aging.

Common signs include:

• Loud, frequent snoring
• Waking up gasping for air
• Choking or snorting sounds during sleep
• Morning headaches
• Dry mouth or sore throat
• Trouble concentrating or remembering
• Mood changes, irritability, or depression
• Falling asleep during the day, while driving, or at work

If you or someone you know regularly experiences these symptoms, it may be time for a sleep evaluation.

Causes and risk factors

Several factors can increase the likelihood of developing sleep apnea. These include:

• Excess weight: Extra tissue around the neck and airway can contribute to collapse during sleep
• Age: Sleep apnea becomes more common as people get older
• Gender: Men are more likely to be diagnosed, but women may be underdiagnosed due to different symptoms
• Family history: Genetics can play a role in airway anatomy and muscle tone
• Alcohol and sedatives: These substances relax throat muscles and interfere with normal breathing
• Smoking: Increases inflammation and fluid retention in the airway
• Medical conditions: Including heart failure, stroke, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and endocrine disorders

How sleep apnea is diagnosed

Sleep apnea is diagnosed through a sleep study, also called a polysomnography. This can be done at a sleep center or in the comfort of your home using a portable sleep monitor.

Your breathing patterns, oxygen levels, heart rate, and sleep stages are recorded during a sleep study. The number of apneas and hypopneas (partial blockages) per hour of sleep determines the severity of the condition.

At Mobile Care Health, we help coordinate sleep testing and walk you through the results so you can confidently understand your sleep patterns and take the next steps.

Treatment options for sleep apnea

Treatment depends on the type and severity of the condition. The goal is to keep the airway open and ensure steady breathing throughout the night.

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)

CPAP therapy is the most common and effective treatment for moderate to severe OSA. It involves wearing a mask that gently pushes air into the airway to keep it open.

Oral appliance therapy

Custom dental devices reposition the jaw or tongue to maintain an open airway during sleep. These are often used in mild to moderate cases or for those who cannot tolerate CPAP.

Lifestyle changes

Weight loss, exercise, and avoiding alcohol or sedatives can reduce the severity of sleep apnea. Positional therapy may help some individuals who experience apnea primarily when sleeping on their back.

Surgery

In some cases, procedures to remove excess tissue, correct nasal obstruction, or adjust jaw positioning may be necessary.

Advanced ventilation devices

Specialized machines, like adaptive servo-ventilation (ASV), may be needed to support consistent breathing patterns in central or complex sleep apnea.

Frequently asked questions about sleep apnea.

Can sleep apnea go away on its own

In rare cases, mild sleep apnea may improve with lifestyle changes such as weight loss. However, most cases require ongoing treatment to manage symptoms and prevent complications.

Is snoring always a sign of sleep apnea

Not necessarily. While snoring is a common symptom of obstructive sleep apnea, not everyone who snores has the condition. Loud, frequent snoring accompanied by choking or gasping is more concerning.

Can children have sleep apnea?

Yes. Children can develop obstructive sleep apnea, often due to enlarged tonsils or adenoids. Symptoms may include behavioral issues, bedwetting, and poor academic performance.

What happens if sleep apnea is not treated

Untreated sleep apnea increases the risk of severe conditions like high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, depression, and accidents due to drowsiness.

Can sleep apnea affect mental health?

Yes. Poor sleep and low oxygen levels can contribute to anxiety, depression, irritability, and difficulty concentrating. Treating sleep apnea often improves mental well-being.

Does everyone with sleep apnea need a CPAP machine

Not always. While CPAP is highly effective, other options like oral appliances, positional therapy, or surgery may be suitable depending on the case and severity.

Recognize the signs, reclaim your sleep

Sleep apnea can be silent and disruptive, robbing you of the rest your body needs to thrive. However, it is highly manageable with the proper knowledge and treatment plan.

Understanding sleep apnea and how it affects your health is the first step. Whether you experience loud snoring, persistent fatigue, or unexplained mood changes, these symptoms deserve attention.

At Mobile Care Health, we are here to help you get answers, find practical solutions, and restore the quality sleep that powers every part of your life.

Articles on this site are for general education and do not substitute for professional medical advice. Consult our providers for personalized recommendations