Sleep apnea affects millions of Americans, yet many don’t realize they have it. This common sleep disorder causes breathing to repeatedly stop and start throughout the night, leading to poor sleep quality and serious health consequences if left untreated. At ENTCare, our specialists help patients throughout the region identify and treat sleep apnea so they can get the restful sleep their bodies need. 

Here are seven signs that may indicate you’re dealing with sleep apnea, along with information about health complications and treatment options. 

Recognizing the Warning Signs

• Loud, Chronic Snoring – Snoring is often the most noticeable symptom, and it’s usually a spouse or partner who brings it to attention first. While occasional snoring is normal, loud snoring that happens most nights—especially when accompanied by gasping or choking sounds—warrants evaluation. The snoring associated with sleep apnea tends to be disruptive enough to wake others in the household. 
  
  
• Waking Up Grasping or Choking – If you frequently wake up suddenly with a sensation of choking or gasping for air, your brain may be responding to a lack of oxygen caused by blocked airways. This can happen dozens or even hundreds of times per night in severe cases, though you may not remember these episodes come morning. 
  
  
• Excessive Daytime Fatigue – Despite spending adequate time in bed, people with sleep apnea rarely feel rested. The constant interruptions prevent the deep, restorative sleep stages your body needs to recover. If you find yourself struggling to stay awake during meetings, while driving, or during other routine activities, poor sleep quality could be the culprit. 
  
  
• Morning Headaches – Waking up with a dull, pressing headache that fades within a few hours is a telltale sign. These headaches result from fluctuating oxygen levels and increased carbon dioxide in the blood during sleep. Unlike migraines or tension headaches, sleep apnea headaches typically affect both sides of the head and occur most mornings. 
  
  
• Difficulty Concentrating and Memory Problems – Sleep deprivation takes a toll on cognitive function. Many patients report trouble focusing at work, forgetting things more often, or feeling like they’re in a mental fog throughout the day. These symptoms are often mistaken for stress or aging when sleep apnea is actually the underlying cause. 
  
  
• Mood Changes and Irritability – Chronic poor sleep affects emotional regulation. If you’ve noticed increased irritability, mood swings, or even symptoms of depression and anxiety that seem to have no clear cause, disrupted sleep could be contributing. Many patients find their mood improves significantly once their sleep apnea is treated. 
  
  
• Dry Mouth or Sore Throat Upon Waking – People with sleep apnea often breathe through their mouths during sleep, leading to dryness and irritation. If you consistently wake up with a parched mouth, scratchy throat, or hoarse voice, it may indicate that your airways are being obstructed during the night. 

Understanding the Different Types of Sleep Apnea

Not all sleep apnea is the same. Understanding which type you have helps determine the most effective treatment approach. 

• Obstructive Sleep Apnea is the most common form, occurring when the muscles in the back of the throat relax too much during sleep. This causes the soft tissue to collapse and block the airway. Factors like excess weight, a naturally narrow airway, enlarged tonsils or adenoids, and nasal congestion can all contribute to obstruction. 

• Central Sleep Apnea is less common and occurs when the brain doesn’t send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing. This type is often associated with certain medical conditions, medications, or high altitude. 

• Complex Sleep Apnea Syndrome, sometimes called Treatment-Emergent Central Sleep Apnea, involves a combination of both obstructive and central sleep apnea. Some patients develop this when obstructive sleep apnea converts to central sleep apnea during treatment. 

Health Complications of Untreated Sleep Apnea 

Sleep apnea is far more than an inconvenience. Left untreated, it places significant stress on the body and increases the risk of developing serious health conditions. 

• Cardiovascular Problems – The repeated drops in blood oxygen levels that occur during apnea episodes put tremendous strain on the cardiovascular system. Each time oxygen levels fall, blood pressure spikes as the body attempts to compensate. Over time, this leads to sustained high blood pressure that persists even during waking hours. Research consistently shows that people with untreated sleep apnea face higher rates of heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and irregular heartbeat. The relationship is strong enough that cardiologists now routinely screen heart patients for sleep apnea. 
  

• Type 2 Diabetes and Metabolic Dysfunction – Sleep apnea disrupts the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar and increases insulin resistance. Studies indicate that people with moderate to severe sleep apnea are significantly more likely to develop type 2 diabetes, independent of other risk factors like obesity. For those who already have diabetes, untreated sleep apnea makes blood sugar control more difficult and increases the risk of complications. 
  

• Liver Problems – Patients with sleep apnea show higher rates of abnormal liver function tests and are more likely to develop non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The scarring associated with this condition can progress to more serious liver damage over time. 
  

• Complications With Medications and Surgery – Sleep apnea poses particular risks during and after surgical procedures. Sedation and anesthesia relax the upper airway, which can worsen breathing problems. Patients with undiagnosed or untreated sleep apnea are more likely to experience complications after major surgery, including difficulty breathing when sedated, longer hospital stays, and cardiovascular events. If you’re planning any procedure requiring anesthesia, informing your medical team about sleep apnea symptoms is essential. 
  

• Cognitive Decline and Dementia Risk – Emerging research suggests a connection between sleep apnea and long-term cognitive decline. The repeated oxygen deprivation and sleep fragmentation may contribute to changes in brain structure and function over time. Some studies have found that people with untreated sleep apnea show earlier onset of mild cognitive impairment and may face elevated dementia risk. 
  

• Impact on Mental Health – The relationship between sleep apnea and mental health runs in both directions. Poor sleep worsens depression and anxiety symptoms, while these conditions can also disrupt sleep patterns. Many patients experience significant improvement in mood and emotional wellbeing once their sleep apnea is effectively treated. 
  

• Daytime Safety Risks – The excessive daytime sleepiness caused by sleep apnea creates real dangers. People with untreated sleep apnea are several times more likely to be involved in motor vehicle accidents. Workplace accidents and injuries also occur at higher rates. These risks affect not only the person with sleep apnea but everyone around them. 

Who Is at Greater Risk? 

While sleep apnea can affect anyone, certain factors increase the likelihood of developing the condition. 

Excess weight is one of the strongest risk factors, as fat deposits around the upper airway can obstruct breathing. However, thin people can also have sleep apnea, particularly if they have structural features like a narrow throat, enlarged tonsils, or a recessed chin. 

Men are two to three times more likely to have sleep apnea than women, though the risk for women increases after menopause. Age is another factor, with sleep apnea occurring more frequently in older adults. 

Family history plays a role as well. If close relatives have sleep apnea, your risk is elevated. Smoking, alcohol use, and the use of sedatives or tranquilizers can all worsen sleep apnea by relaxing throat muscles or increasing inflammation in the airway. 

Nasal congestion, whether from allergies, a deviated septum, or chronic sinusitis, also contributes to sleep apnea risk by making it harder to breathe through the nose during sleep. 

Diagnosis: What to Expect 

If you suspect you have sleep apnea, the first step is a thorough evaluation. At ENTCare, our specialists begin with a comprehensive review of your symptoms, medical history, and any observations from sleep partners. A physical examination of the nose, throat, and airway helps identify potential structural contributors. 

• Sleep Studies – Definitive diagnosis typically requires a sleep study, which monitors your breathing patterns, oxygen levels, heart rate, and sleep stages. Home sleep tests are now available for many patients and offer a convenient way to gather diagnostic information in your own bed. For more complex cases, an overnight study in a sleep lab may be recommended, where technicians can monitor additional parameters and observe your sleep directly. The results of a sleep study reveal how many times per hour your breathing is disrupted, measured as the apnea-hypopnea index. This number helps classify sleep apnea as mild, moderate, or severe and guides treatment decisions. 

• ENT Evaluation – Because obstructive sleep apnea often involves anatomical factors in the nose and throat, evaluation by an ear, nose, and throat specialist provides valuable insight. Our team can identify issues like a deviated septum, nasal polyps, enlarged turbinate, or excess tissue in the throat that may be contributing to airway obstruction. Understanding these factors helps determine whether certain treatments, including surgical options, might be particularly effective. 

Treatment Options

Effective treatment for sleep apnea depends on the severity of the condition, its underlying causes, and individual patient factors. At ENTCare, we work with each patient to develop a treatment plan that addresses their specific situation. 

Lifestyle Modifications 

For mild cases, lifestyle changes may significantly improve or even resolve sleep apnea. Weight loss is often the most impactful intervention for overweight patients, as even a modest reduction in weight can decrease airway obstruction. Avoiding alcohol and sedatives, especially in the hours before bed, prevents excessive muscle relaxation. Sleeping on your side rather than your back helps keep the airway open for many people. Treating nasal congestion and allergies also improves airflow and reduces symptoms. 

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) 

CPAP remains the gold standard treatment for moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea. The device delivers a steady stream of air through a mask worn during sleep, keeping the airway open and preventing apnea episodes. Modern CPAP machines are quieter and more comfortable than earlier versions, with a variety of mask styles to suit different preferences. While some patients need time to adjust, most find that the improvement in sleep quality and daytime energy makes the adaptation worthwhile. 

For patients who struggle with CPAP, bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP) machines offer an alternative. These devices deliver different pressure levels for inhalation and exhalation, which some find more comfortable. 

Oral Appliances 

Custom-fitted oral appliances offer an effective alternative for patients with mild to moderate sleep apnea or those who cannot tolerate CPAP. These devices, created by dentists specializing in sleep medicine, reposition the lower jaw and tongue to keep the airway open during sleep. They’re portable, quiet, and easy to use, making them a popular choice for travel as well as nightly use. 

Surgical Treatments 

When anatomical factors contribute significantly to airway obstruction, surgical intervention may provide lasting improvement. ENTCare offers several surgical options depending on the site and nature of the obstruction. 

Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) removes excess tissue from the throat, including the uvula, soft palate, and pharynx, to widen the airway. This procedure has been performed for decades and remains effective for appropriately selected patients. 

For patients with nasal obstruction, procedures to correct a deviated septum, reduce enlarged turbinates, or remove nasal polyps can improve airflow and make other treatments like CPAP more tolerable. 

Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy are particularly effective when enlarged tonsils or adenoids contribute to obstruction. While more commonly performed in children, adults with significant tonsillar enlargement may also benefit. 

Newer procedures like Inspire Therapy offer an implantable option for patients who haven’t found success with other treatments. This small device, implanted during an outpatient procedure, monitors breathing patterns and stimulates the nerve that controls tongue movement, keeping the airway open during sleep. 

Positional Therapy 

For patients whose sleep apnea occurs primarily when sleeping on their back, positional therapy devices can help maintain side sleeping throughout the night. These range from simple solutions like special pillows to wearable devices that gently vibrate when you roll onto your back. 

Living Well With Sleep Apnea 

A sleep apnea diagnosis doesn’t mean resigning yourself to poor sleep forever. With proper treatment, most patients experience dramatic improvement in sleep quality, daytime energy, and overall health. Many describe feeling like a different person once their sleep apnea is under control—more alert, more productive, and in better spirits. 

Consistency with treatment is key. Whether you use CPAP, an oral appliance, or have had surgery, following through with your treatment plan and attending follow-up appointments ensures the best outcomes. Regular check-ins allow your care team to make adjustments as needed and address any challenges that arise. 

Partners and family members often notice improvements even before the patient does. The household sleeps better when loud snoring stops, and relationships benefit when both parties are well-rested and in better moods. 

Take the Next Step

If you recognize the warning signs of sleep apnea in yourself or a loved one, don’t wait to seek help. The health consequences of untreated sleep apnea are serious, but the condition responds well to treatment. Getting evaluated is the first step toward better sleep and better health. 

At ENTCare, our ear, nose, and throat specialists have extensive experience diagnosing and treating sleep apnea. We take the time to understand each patient’s unique situation and develop personalized treatment plans that work for their lives. From initial evaluation through ongoing management, our team is committed to helping you breathe easier and sleep better. 

Contact ENTCare today at 334-793-4788 or at ENTCare.org to schedule a consultation. Better sleep—and better health—may be closer than you think.