Everything you need to know about sleep apnea: symptoms, dangers and treatments
Snoring often seems harmless. Your partner might laugh about it or use earplugs to sleep. But what if that snoring is accompanied by pauses in breathing? What if you wake up exhausted every morning, despite getting enough sleep? Then it's time to sound the alarm. Sleep apnea is a chronic condition that not only disrupts your sleep but can also cause serious long-term damage to your heart, brain, and daily functioning.
What is sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops or decreases significantly during sleep . The body then receives insufficient oxygen, causing it to repeatedly send out an alarm signal. These responses cause you to sleep more superficially or even wake up briefly, without realizing it. The most common form is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) , in which the muscles in the throat temporarily relax , blocking the airway. A less common but more serious variant is central sleep apnea , in which the breathing signal from the brain is temporarily lost. Finally, there is also a combination of both forms.
Although sleep apnea is often associated with loud snoring, this isn't always the case. Some people have sleep apnea without snoring , which complicates diagnosis. In women, the condition often progresses differently: they report fewer classic symptoms like snoring, but primarily experience insomnia, irritability, anxiety, or depression. Several women's experiences with sleep apnea show that their symptoms are often diagnosed late or misinterpreted, leading to unnecessary delays in diagnosis.
How do you recognize sleep apnea?
Symptoms of sleep apnea occur both during the day and at night. At night, breathing can stop dozens of times per hour, disrupting sleep. Many patients wake up during the night feeling suffocated, sweating, restless, or experiencing a sudden increase in heart rate.
During the day, sleep apnea manifests as fatigue, drowsiness, irritability, and memory problems. People with apnea sometimes fall asleep involuntarily during meetings, at work, or even while driving. The impact on quality of life is significant: concentration becomes difficult, emotions are hard to regulate, and daily activities require more energy than usual. Headaches upon waking, a dry mouth, or a sore throat are also common complaints. In some people, sleep apnea strongly resembles depression or burnout, making the risk of misdiagnosis high. Even mild sleep apnea can cause permanent damage .
Is sleep apnea dangerous?
Yes. Untreated sleep apnea increases the risk of a range of serious conditions. The constant oxygen deprivation and the constant awakening put a strain on the heart and blood pressure regulation . This significantly increases the risk of a heart attack, stroke, or cardiac arrhythmia . Type 2 diabetes is also more common in people with apnea, as are depression, anxiety disorders, and cognitive decline. The increased risk of traffic accidents and workplace accidents should also not be underestimated. Furthermore, there is a link with increased mortality in those who remain untreated for years.
Diagnosis: How do you know if you have sleep apnea?
If these symptoms sound familiar, it's important to request a sleep study through your doctor. A polysomnography is performed in a hospital or sleep clinic , which measures your breathing, heart rate, oxygen saturation, and brain activity during sleep. An alternative option is a home sleep study , where a portable device is delivered to your home. This is more comfortable for some people and also provides reliable results, especially when symptoms are clearly present. Your health insurance fund may sometimes reimburse you for your sleep study. So be sure to inquire about this.
There are also digital screening options (sleep apnea test app, a sleep apnea test watch or a free sleep apnea test online), but these are indicative and do not replace a medical evaluation.
Treatment: what are the options?
The most common treatment for moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea is a CPAP device . This device inhales air at a gentle pressure through a mask, keeping the airways open. The results are often dramatic: people who were exhausted for years experience deep, refreshing sleep again and function much better during the day.
There are several options for obtaining a device. You can buy a CPAP device , new or used , from certified suppliers in Belgium. Another option is to rent a CPAP device through CM , Solidaris , or De VoorZorg . Your health insurance fund usually provides a contribution towards the costs.
The best sleep apnea device depends on personal preference and medical needs. Brands like ResMed offer innovative models that are quieter and automatically adjust to breathing patterns. Some patients do report weight gain with CPAP , which is usually related to an improved appetite and increased energy after recovering from chronic sleep deprivation.
For those who don't cope well with CPAP, there are alternatives. A common option for mild sleep apnea is a mouthguard , also called a mandibular advancement device, which gently pushes the lower jaw forward, keeping the airway open. For structural throat problems, surgery can be considered. Some people opt for surgery to reduce snoring , such as a uvulopalatoplasty, which shortens the soft palate.
Please note: surgical costs can be high and are not always fully reimbursed. Check with your health insurance provider to see if your surgery will be covered .
A promising innovation is tongue nerve stimulation , in which a small implant is placed under the skin. This stimulates the muscle that holds the tongue in place during sleep, preventing the airway from collapsing.
For central sleep apnea , where the breathing signal is absent, medication is sometimes used, such as oxygen stimulants or sedatives that affect the respiratory center. Medication for sleep apnea is only prescribed under strict supervision.
The impact on your life
Sleep apnea isn't limited to the bedroom. Chronic fatigue makes people more vulnerable to accidents, workplace mistakes, and relationship tensions. In severe cases, patients even become disabled due to sleep apnea. The condition also has a clear link to menopause , with hormonal changes increasing the risk in women. Furthermore, hereditary factors, thyroid problems, and obesity are often underlying causes. Psychologically, anxiety and depression can worsen due to the constant feeling of exhaustion.
