What Is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts throughout the night. These pauses — called apneas — can last anywhere from a few seconds to over a minute and may occur dozens or even hundreds of times while you sleep.

Most people with sleep apnea don't realize they have it. The condition disrupts sleep at a neurological level, so even if you don't fully wake up during apnea events, your body is still being roused from deep, restorative sleep — often without you knowing it.

Left untreated, sleep apnea is far more than a nuisance. It is linked to serious long-term health consequences including high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and cognitive decline. According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) (https://aasm.org/), an estimated 30 million Americans have obstructive sleep apnea — and the majority remain undiagnosed.

The Three Types of Sleep Apnea

1. OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA (OSA) — Most Common (~80% of diagnoses)

Occurs when the muscles in the throat relax during sleep, allowing soft tissue to collapse and block the airway. Often associated with snoring, though not always. Air can't get through, oxygen levels drop, and the brain briefly signals the body to reopen the airway. This cycle repeats throughout the night.

2. CENTRAL SLEEP APNEA (CSA) — Less Common (~5-10% of diagnoses)

The airway is open — but the brain fails to send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing. A neurological issue, not a physical obstruction. More often seen in patients with heart failure, after a stroke, or in those on long-term opioid medications.

3. COMPLEX (MIXED) SLEEP APNEA — Treatment-Emergent

Begins as OSA but transitions to central apnea patterns — sometimes after starting CPAP therapy. Requires more specialized management and monitoring.

Recognizing the Symptoms

Nighttime Symptoms (HIGH-PRIORITY)

Loud, frequent snoring
Witnessed pauses in breathing during sleep
Choking, gasping, or snorting during sleep
Restless sleep or frequent position changes
Waking up with a dry mouth or sore throat
Waking with a headache
Frequent trips to the bathroom at night

Daytime Symptoms (HIGH-PRIORITY)

Excessive daytime sleepiness, even after a "full night's sleep"
Difficulty concentrating or memory problems
Falling asleep during passive activities
Irritability, mood changes, or depression
Reduced sex drive

THE SILENT RISK: According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) (https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/sleep-apnea), untreated sleep apnea raises the risk of high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, obesity, and type 2 diabetes.

Who Is at Risk?

Excess weight
Neck circumference >17 in (men) / >16 in (women)
Age 40+
Male sex (2-3x more likely than women; women's risk rises post-menopause)
Family history
Smoking or heavy alcohol use
Nasal congestion or structural airway issues
Medical conditions: high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, hypothyroidism, PCOS

When Should You See a Doctor?

Speak with your physician if:

You snore loudly most nights
Someone has witnessed you stop breathing during sleep — even once
You feel excessively sleepy during the day regardless of hours slept
You wake up frequently with headaches or a dry mouth
You have difficulty concentrating or mood changes
You have one or more risk factors (excess weight, high blood pressure, diabetes)

Don't wait for symptoms to become unbearable. Sleep apnea is progressive — untreated, it typically worsens over time.

How Is Sleep Apnea Diagnosed?

The gold standard is a sleep study (polysomnography). Two formats:

In-lab sleep study — Overnight in a sleep clinic with full monitoring
Home sleep apnea test (HSAT) — Portable device used at home; appropriate for uncomplicated suspected OSA

Results use the Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI):

<5 events/hr = Normal

5-14 events/hr = Mild Sleep Apnea

15-29 events/hr = Moderate Sleep Apnea

30+ events/hr = Severe Sleep Apnea

Treatment Options

CPAP THERAPY (Gold Standard for OSA)

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure delivers a stream of pressurized air through a mask, keeping the airway open throughout the night. Most patients experience dramatic improvement from the very first night.

Integrated Respiratory Solutions' Sleep Health program (https://www.integratedhsc.com/sleep-health) includes:

Clinical setup by licensed respiratory therapists
Hands-on mask fitting
Dedicated sleep coach for ongoing compliance support

BIPAP AND AUTO-PAP

BiPAP delivers different pressure levels for inhalation/exhalation for patients who don't tolerate standard CPAP. Auto-PAP adjusts automatically based on real-time breathing patterns.

LIFESTYLE MODIFICATIONS (Mild cases / complement to PAP)

Weight loss
Side sleeping
Reducing alcohol within 3 hours of bedtime
Treating nasal congestion

OTHER OPTIONS

Oral appliances (mandibular advancement devices), upper airway surgery, and hypoglossal nerve stimulation devices (e.g., Inspire therapy) for patients who cannot tolerate PAP therapy.

Frequently Asked Questions

In some cases, significant weight loss can eliminate or reduce sleep apnea. However, most cases require active treatment and ongoing monitoring.
No. Snoring alone does not confirm sleep apnea. What distinguishes sleep apnea is actual breathing pauses, oxygen drops, and resulting daytime impairment.
Yes — and for most people you should. CPAP is a long-term management tool, not a cure. Benefits persist only as long as therapy continues.
Most plans, including Medicare and Medicaid, cover diagnostic sleep studies and CPAP equipment when medically indicated. Integrated Respiratory Solutions handles all insurance coordination.

If you recognize the signs of sleep apnea in yourself or a loved one, don't wait. Quality sleep is the foundation of a healthy life — and effective treatment is closer than you think. Integrated Respiratory Solutions serves patients across Illinois, Northwest Indiana, and Missouri with clinical-grade CPAP therapy, expert setup, and personalized ongoing support.

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