Sleep Apnea: A Diagnosis Often Missed
Loud snoring and daytime sleepiness are red flags.
Dr. Hélène Marquet
Pulmonologist
In simple terms
Obstructive sleep apnea affects roughly 1 billion adults worldwide and powerfully raises cardiovascular risk.
What you need to remember
- Diagnosis — Home sleep apnea testing or in-lab polysomnography quantifies the apnea-hypopnea index.
- Treatment — CPAP therapy is the reference treatment and rapidly improves daytime function.
- Why it matters — Untreated severe apnea doubles the risk of stroke, atrial fibrillation, and resistant hypertension.
- Witnessed pauses in breathing
- Loud, irregular snoring
- Choking awakenings
- Morning headaches
- Excessive daytime sleepiness, falling asleep at the wheel
Diagnosis
Home sleep apnea testing or in-lab polysomnography quantifies the apnea-hypopnea index. An index above 15 (or above 5 with symptoms) defines moderate disease.
Treatment
CPAP therapy is the reference treatment and rapidly improves daytime function. Mandibular advancement devices and positional therapy help mild cases. Weight loss is highly effective.
Why it matters
Untreated severe apnea doubles the risk of stroke, atrial fibrillation, and resistant hypertension.
Partners often notice apnea long before patients do. Their report matters at consultation.
The words explained
Medical terms used above, in everyday language.
- Symptom
- A sign you can feel or see that something is wrong, like pain, tiredness or a rash.
- Diagnosis
- The moment a doctor identifies which illness is causing your symptoms.
- Blood pressure
- The force of blood pushing against your artery walls. Too high, over years, damages the heart and vessels.
When should you see a doctor?
- Your symptoms last more than a few weeks or keep coming back.
- They get worse quickly, or stop you doing everyday things.
- You notice sudden pain, breathing trouble, fainting or bleeding — seek urgent care.
- You already take medication and want to change anything about it.
This article explains general health information. It does not replace advice from your own doctor.
Frequently asked questions
- What is Sleep Apnea: A Diagnosis Often Missed?
- Obstructive sleep apnea affects roughly 1 billion adults worldwide and powerfully raises cardiovascular risk.
- What are the main symptoms or signs of Sleep Apnea: A Diagnosis Often Missed?
- Common signs vary from person to person. The article above lists the symptoms to watch for, how they progress, and when they need medical attention.
- When should you see a doctor for Sleep Apnea: A Diagnosis Often Missed?
- See a doctor if symptoms last more than a few weeks, get worse quickly, stop you doing everyday things, or if you notice sudden pain, breathing trouble, fainting or bleeding.
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