Millions of people snore every night. While snoring might seem like a harmless habit (and certainly an annoyance to anyone within earshot), it can actually be a sign of something more serious — like Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).
💤 What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea, or OSA, is a condition where the upper airways become blocked or narrow during sleep, causing breathing to stop temporarily. The brain and body eventually force you to wake up — often with a gasp — so you can start breathing again. This constant cycle can happen hundreds of times a night, and most people don’t even realize it’s happening.
In fact, it’s estimated that over 18 million adults in the U.S. have some form of sleep apnea.
🔎 3 Main Warning Signs of OSA
How can you tell if you might have sleep apnea? Here are some common signs:
✅ Loud, persistent snoring
✅ Waking up gasping for air or your partner noticing pauses in your breathing
✅ Excessive daytime sleepiness — nodding off at work, during meals, or while driving
🛌 Snoring vs. Sleep Apnea
It’s important to note that not everyone who snores has sleep apnea. However, loud snoring — especially if it wakes your partner — can be a major red flag for OSA.
🧠 Other Warning Signs
OSA can also show up in other ways:
➡️ Morning headaches
➡️ Chronic fatigue and irritability
➡️ Depression or mood swings
➡️ Falling asleep during meals
➡️ Struggling to stay awake while driving
In many cases, it’s a partner who notices these symptoms first — especially pauses in breathing during sleep.
🩺 Getting Diagnosed and Treated
The only way to know for sure if you have sleep apnea is to see a sleep specialist. A sleep clinic can monitor your sleep patterns and diagnose OSA using tools like the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, which measures daytime sleepiness.
The good news? Sleep apnea can be treated effectively. Don’t lose another night of sleep — or put your health at risk. If you think you might have OSA, talk to your primary care doctor or reach out to a local sleep clinic like Noxify Sleep for an evaluation.
