What Is Sleep Apnea? Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
Sleep apnea causes breathing to stop repeatedly during sleep. Learn the causes, symptoms, who is at risk, and the treatment options available.
Sleep apnea is a disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops or becomes shallow during sleep, causing oxygen levels to drop and sleep to fragment without the person noticing. Its most common signs are loud snoring, waking up gasping, and severe daytime sleepiness.
Many patients do not notice the condition themselves because it happens during sleep. For this reason, the bed partner is often the first to notice it.
What Happens in the Body During an Episode?
During sleep, the muscles of the upper airway relax naturally. If the airway is narrow, it may close partially or completely, and airflow stops.
Blood oxygen then drops, and the brain sends a brief arousal signal that reopens the airway and restores breathing, often with a gasp or a loud snore.
These arousals are very short and are not remembered in the morning, but they prevent sleep from reaching its deep stages. This is why many patients wake up tired despite spending enough hours in bed.
What Are the Types of Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive: the most common type, caused by blockage of the upper airway despite continued effort to breathe.
Central: occurs when the brain does not send the proper signal to the breathing muscles, and it may be linked to cardiac or neurological conditions.
Mixed: features of both types occur together.
Telling these types apart matters, because the treatment plan differs by type, and it begins with a clinical assessment during a sleep disorders consultation.
Causes of Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea has several causes, and more than one factor is often present in the same person:
A narrow upper airway: may relate to jaw structure, tongue size, or a narrow throat.
Enlarged tonsils and adenoids: among the most common causes in children.
Excess weight: fat around the neck may increase pressure on the airway during sleep.
Nasal obstruction: from allergies, a deviated septum, or enlarged turbinates, which may increase mouth breathing.
Aging: airway muscles may relax gradually with age.
Alcohol and sedatives: may cause excessive relaxation of the throat muscles. No prescribed medication should be stopped without consulting your doctor.
Smoking: may contribute to swelling and inflammation of the airway lining.
Genetic factors: a family history may raise the likelihood.
Certain medical conditions: such as hypothyroidism and polycystic ovary syndrome.
The cause is not identified by guessing, but through a clinical assessment that includes examination of the nose, throat, and airway.
Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
The symptoms of sleep apnea fall into nighttime symptoms, usually noticed by the bed partner, and daytime symptoms felt by the patient.
Nighttime Symptoms
Pauses in breathing during sleep, as observed by the bed partner.
Loud, interrupted snoring.
Waking up gasping or feeling choked.
Frequent night urination with no clear cause.
Night sweating and frequent tossing and turning.
Dry mouth or throat on waking.
Daytime Symptoms
Falling asleep or losing focus while driving, a safety sign that calls for medical assessment without delay.
Severe daytime sleepiness despite enough hours of sleep.
Recurrent morning headaches.
Poor concentration and memory.
Mood swings and irritability.
Reduced sexual desire.
The condition should not be ruled out simply because loud snoring is absent. In some patients, particularly women, it may appear as insomnia, chronic fatigue, or morning headaches.
Who Is Most at Risk?
People with excess weight or a large neck circumference.
Men, with the rate rising in women after menopause.
People with a family history of the condition.
Smokers.
Patients with high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes.
People with chronic nasal obstruction or allergies.
Children with enlarged tonsils and adenoids.
Having risk factors does not necessarily mean the condition is present, but it makes assessment a priority once symptoms appear.
Why Should the Condition Not Be Ignored?
Repeated oxygen drops and fragmented sleep at night may place continuous strain on the heart and blood vessels. This is why the untreated condition is linked to a higher likelihood of several health problems:
High blood pressure, or blood pressure that is difficult to control.
Heart rhythm disorders.
A higher likelihood of type 2 diabetes.
A higher likelihood of traffic accidents caused by sleepiness.
Declining concentration and daily performance.
Persistent sleepiness may also affect quality of life gradually, without the patient linking it to their sleep.
How Is Sleep Apnea Diagnosed?
Diagnosis starts with a review of symptoms and medical history, along with a clinical examination of the upper airway. The doctor may also ask the bed partner about the nature of the snoring and any observed pauses in breathing.
Depending on the symptoms, the doctor may recommend a home sleep test or a more comprehensive study.
A comprehensive sleep study can record:-
Brain waves and sleep stages.
Blood oxygen levels.
Breathing rate and pauses.
Heart rate.
Eye and leg movements.
Body position during sleep.
Sleep apnea is classified using the AHI index as:
Mild: 5 to fewer than 15 events per hour.
Moderate: 15 to fewer than 30 events per hour.
Severe: 30 events or more per hour.
This index, alongside symptoms, oxygen levels, and overall health, helps in choosing the right treatment. The home sleep test can be completed over a single night at home.
What Are the Treatment Options for Sleep Apnea?
Treatment depends on the type of the condition, its severity, and the underlying cause:
Daily habit changes: weight loss, avoiding alcohol close to bedtime, and treating nasal congestion may help reduce symptoms.
Positional therapy: if symptoms appear only when sleeping on the back, staying on the side may help.
Positive airway pressure devices (CPAP): the device delivers pressurized air through a mask to keep the airway open, and it is among the most reliable treatments for moderate and severe cases.
Oral appliances: custom-made to advance the jaw and tongue, and they may suit mild to moderate cases or people who cannot tolerate pressure devices.
Treating nasal obstruction: may include topical sprays, allergy medication, or surgery depending on the case.
Airway surgery: may be suitable when there is a clear anatomical cause, and it is not the first option in most cases.
The consultant determines the type of treatment and how it is adjusted based on the test results, and pressure settings may rely on an advanced sleep study in some cases.
When Should You See a Doctor?
An assessment by a specialist is advised in these situations:
Falling asleep or losing focus while driving, the highest priority for assessment.
A bed partner noticing pauses in breathing during sleep.
Repeatedly waking up gasping or choking.
Persistent loud snoring.
Daytime sleepiness despite enough hours of sleep.
Recurrent morning headaches.
High blood pressure, or blood pressure that is difficult to control.
The assessment can also be done through an online sleep disorders consultation for those living outside Riyadh.
Why Choose Subat Clinics?
At Subat Clinics in Riyadh, sleep disorders are assessed by a medical team specialized in pulmonary medicine and sleep medicine.
Saudi consultants specialized in pulmonary medicine and sleep medicine.
Sleep tests performed at the patient's home, with no need to stay overnight in a lab.
Results ready within 3 working days.
Results read and explained by the consultant.
A complete pathway from consultation to testing, treatment, and follow-up.
Assessment of asthma and chest allergies through a pulmonology consultation.
How to Prepare for Your Appointment
Write down the symptoms you experience and your sleep schedule.
Ask your bed partner what they notice during your sleep, and it is better if they attend with you.
Bring a list of your medications and supplements.
Bring the results of any previous tests or sleep study.
Write down your questions before the appointment.
Conclusion
Sleep apnea is a common condition that can be diagnosed and treated. What sets it apart is that it happens while the patient is unaware, which makes it hard to detect without assessment.
For this reason, noticing nighttime or daytime symptoms is worth an assessment rather than living with them, especially when sleepiness affects safety while driving.
Book Your Appointment at Subat Clinics
Start with a specialized consultation to find the cause of your symptoms and whether you need a sleep test, then choose the right treatment based on the result.
📍 Othman Bin Affan Road, Al Taawun District, Riyadh 12477
🕔 Sunday to Wednesday, 5 to 9 PM
📞 0112011100
💬 WhatsApp: 0505999713
Sources:
Mayo Clinic: Obstructive Sleep Apnea — Diagnosis and Treatment
Sleep Medicine in Health and Disease — University Sleep Disorders Center, King Saud University
This content is for health awareness purposes and does not replace a personal medical consultation. Do not start or stop any treatment without consulting your doctor.
Medically reviewed by:
Dr. Ahmed Alruhaimi — Consultant in Pulmonary Medicine and Sleep Medicine, Subat Clinics.
Last reviewed: August 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is sleep apnea dangerous?
When left untreated, it may be linked to a higher likelihood of heart, blood pressure, and diabetes problems, along with its effect on concentration and driving safety. It can, however, be diagnosed and treated.
Can I have it without snoring?
Yes. In some patients, particularly women, it may appear as insomnia, chronic fatigue, or morning headaches without loud snoring.
Can sleep apnea be cured permanently?
That depends on the cause. Some cases improve noticeably after weight loss, treatment of a nasal cause, or tonsil removal in children, while other cases need ongoing management.
Is CPAP the only option?
No. Other options include oral appliances, positional therapy, treatment of nasal obstruction, and surgery in specific cases. The consultant decides what suits you after diagnosis.
Does it affect children?
Yes, and enlarged tonsils and adenoids are among the most common causes in them. In a child, symptoms may appear as hyperactivity, poor concentration, or declining school performance rather than visible sleepiness.
How long does diagnosis take?
The journey usually starts with an assessment consultation, followed by a one-night sleep test, then an appointment to review the result and the treatment plan.
Does insurance cover the sleep test?
This differs by insurance policy. It is advised to contact the clinic before booking to check the details.