Better sleep starts with understanding sleep apnea

What exactly is sleep apnea?

Sometimes, breathing slows down or even stops for a few seconds or minutes. That’s sleep apnea, a sleep disorder where the throat muscles relax and block airflow.

As this cycle repeats throughout the night, it can deprive the body of the oxygen it needs to function at its best, day after day.

The real impact goes beyond just the physical. It can also affect us mentally and emotionally, leaving you constantly feeling like you’re running on a half-empty tank.

6 surprising truths about sleep apnea risks

Gender

While sleep apnea does occur in men, 202 million women across the globe have sleep apnea, too.¹

Weight

Obesity may raise sleep apnea risk. However, 30% of people diagnosed with sleep apnea are not obese.²

Age

While sleep apnea may be more common in older adults, 16% of people under 30 have sleep apnea.³

Physical Features

For some, physical features, such as neck size or enlarged tonsils, may elevate sleep apnea risk.⁴

Menopause

In women over 50, post-menopausal status is associated with higher sleep apnea risk.^{5, 6}

Snoring

Snoring ≠ sleep apnea. Not all people who snore have sleep apnea, and not all people who have sleep apnea snore.

Roadmap to Rest:  
Take a Sleep Assessment

Follow one woman’s journey as she tackles her exhaustion, gets diagnosed with sleep apnea, and finds relief through CPAP therapy.

4 simple steps to  better sleep

Concerned about sleep apnea? Start here to learn how to sleep and breathe easier.

Step 1: Listen to your body and recognize signs of  a sleep disorder

Recognizing the signs of sleep apnea, such as snoring, mood swings, headaches, and persistent daytime fatigue is an important step toward better sleep.  The disorder affects over 1 billion people worldwide,⁷ across all ages
and body types.

While that may sound alarming, you’re not alone, more than 80% of people with sleep apnea remain undiagnosed.⁸

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Step 2: Start the conversation about sleep with your doctor

Start the conversation with your doctor about how you’ve been sleeping. They can assess your symptoms, review your medical history, and decide if a sleep test or referral to a specialist is needed.

A sleep test collects information from your body while you sleep, helping your doctor identify whether you have a sleep disorder.

You can also talk with a healthcare provider in person.
 Download our Doctor’s Discussion Guide for more information

Step 3: Sleep test options

A sleep test is a simple, non-invasive overnight study that checks for sleep disorders.

It provides a fuller picture of your health by tracking oxygen levels, heart rate, brain activity, and breathing while you sleep.

In-lab sleep study (PSG):

Your doctor may recommend a polysomnography (PSG) if your medical history is complex or you need detailed monitoring.

PSGs are done overnight in a sleep lab, where a technician monitors your sleep.⁹

If a sleep lab feels uncomfortable, you’re not alone. Around 60–70% of sleep apnea tests can be done at home.¹⁰

Get started with virtual care

Home sleep test (HST):

Your doctor may recommend a home sleep test (HST) if you show symptoms of a sleep disorder and don’t have other chronic medical conditions.

HSTs can be done from the comfort of your bed, reducing wait times and making testing more convenient.⁹

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Step 4: Explore your treatment options

There’s more than one way to manage sleep apnea.
Explore alternative treatments to discuss with your sleep specialist.

Positive Airway Pressure (PAP)

PAP therapy, considered the gold standard for treating moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea,¹¹ uses gentle air pressure delivered through a mask to keep your airway open while you sleep.¹² This non-invasive therapy requires a prescription.

Exercise and Healthy Diet

Staying active and eating healthy are important components of a healthier life. A healthy diet and regular exercise can be a crucial part of your therapy journey for obstructive sleep apnea.¹³

Positional Therapy

Positional therapy uses a non-invasive device on your back to prevent you from rolling over, encouraging you to sleep on your side instead.¹⁴ This therapy is often prescribed for people with mild to moderate positional obstructive sleep apnea (POSA) and should be used whenever you sleep.¹⁵

Oral Appliances

Oral appliances are non-invasive devices that pull your lower jaw forward to create more space for airflow in your throat.¹⁶ They require a prescription and are worn nightly, typically by people with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea.¹⁷

GLP-1s

GLP-1s are prescription medicines that help you feel less hungry and keep food in your stomach longer.¹⁸ These medications may be prescribed for individuals with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea, provided they meet specific health requirements.¹⁹

Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES)

Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) delivers controlled electrical impulses to motor nerves, inducing muscle contractions that aid in rehabilitation, neuromuscular re-education, and functional recovery.²⁰

Surgery

For some people, surgery can be a permanent solution. Procedures can involve removing excess tissue in the throat, repositioning the jaw, or using a device to stimulate a nerve that controls the tongue.²¹ Surgery is often considered when other therapies haven’t been successful.

“Freedom to sleep well is life-changing.” – Stacy

Start your journey to better sleep

Find out if sleep apnea could be affecting your rest.

Take the sleep assessment

FAQs on sleep testing

Most insurance plans, including Medicare, may help pay for sleep tests, doctor visits and CPAP equipment if they are medically needed. You may have a copay for the doctor’s visit and part of the sleep test cost. Insurance often lowers the total price. Check with your provider to see what’s covered or click here to check your insurance now.

Waiting to receive the results of any test can feel unsettling—especially when it’s a test to diagnose a sleep disorder. There’s a waiting period that varies from person-to-person and can range from 2 days up to several weeks.

During a follow-up appointment, you’ll discuss the results of your sleep test with a doctor or sleep specialist. If diagnosed with sleep apnea, this is typically when you’ll find out your Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI), which determines the severity of the diagnosis.

If breathing stops for more than 10 seconds, this is known as an apnea. Apneas can occur dozens—even hundreds—of times per night without you noticing. When breathing slows down but doesn’t stop completely, this is considered a hypopnea. With a sleep test, doctors can use a scale called the Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) to measure how many times per hour you either pause or stop breathing each night.²²

The first step after any diagnosis is figuring out how best to treat it. And with sleep apnea, it’s important that treatment begins as soon as possible. The good news is that sleep apnea is well-understood, and effective treatments for sleep apnea are available.

Understanding your options for treatment can help you and your doctor make an informed decision about the steps you can take next.

Disclaimers:
The content on this website is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

Please note CPAP devices and sleep tests require prescription. Always refer to the device’s user guide for detailed and appropriate use instructions. Consult your healthcare professional/provider if you are concerned or have questions with your sleep health or treatment options.

References:

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Source: Srijithesh PR, Aghoram R, Goel A, Dhanya J. Positional therapy for obstructive sleep apnoea. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2019;5(11):CD010990. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6491901/
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