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Snoring and sleep apnea are often mistaken for one another due to overlapping symptoms, but they are distinct conditions. Snoring is a common and generally harmless sound caused by the vibration of relaxed throat tissues during sleep. It affects up to 44% of people regularly but doesn’t always indicate a medical problem. In contrast, sleep apnea impacts airflow and oxygen levels, leading to fragmented sleep and potential health risks such as heart disease and stroke. Nearly 1 billion people worldwide suffer from sleep apnea, with approximately 936 million cases being obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Understanding the differences between these conditions and knowing when to seek medical attention is essential for maintaining good health. In a conversation with Jagran English, Dr. Shelly (Mittal) Mahajan, Lab Director & Clinical Lead at Mahajan Imaging & Labs, discussed sleep apnea and how to recognize warning signs and know when to seek help.

Decoding Sleep Apnea:

There are three main types of sleep apnea: Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), Central Sleep Apnea (CSA), and Mixed Sleep Apnea, which is a combination of the two. OSA is the most common form, caused by partial or complete obstruction of the upper airway during sleep. CSA, on the other hand, occurs when the brain fails to send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing.

Recognizing The Symptoms Of Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea often goes undiagnosed because its symptoms occur during sleep, but the signs can be both noticeable and serious. One of the most common indicators is loud, persistent snoring, frequently interrupted by pauses in breathing, which may be followed by gasping or choking sounds as the body struggles to restore airflow.
Many individuals wake up with a dry mouth or sore throat, often a result of mouth breathing during the night. Despite spending enough time in bed, daytime fatigue and excessive sleepiness are common, signaling poor-quality sleep.
Morning headaches can also occur, potentially caused by reduced oxygen levels during the night. People with sleep apnea may experience restless sleep, frequent awakenings, or even insomnia-like symptoms.
Left untreated, sleep apnea is more than just a sleep disorder—it significantly increases the risk of serious health conditions such as hypertension, heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. Recognizing these symptoms early and seeking timely diagnosis can be life-changing—and even life-saving.

Diagnosis And Testing

Diagnosing sleep apnea typically involves a combination of medical history, physical examination, and specialized tests. Here are some common diagnostic methods:

1. Home Sleep Apnea Test (HSAT):

A Home Sleep Apnea Test is a convenient way to screen for sleep apnea in the comfort of your own home. It typically monitors breathing patterns, oxygen saturation, and heart rate while you sleep. While HSAT is less invasive and more affordable than lab-based testing, it offers limited data and may not capture all the nuances of sleep disorders. It’s best suited for individuals with a high likelihood of moderate to severe sleep apnea and no other complicating medical conditions.

2. Polysomnography (PSG):

Polysomnography is the most comprehensive sleep study, conducted overnight in a sleep laboratory under the supervision of trained professionals. It records a wide range of physiological parameters including brain waves, muscle activity, eye movements, heart rate, breathing patterns, and oxygen levels. PSG is considered the gold standard for diagnosing sleep apnea and other sleep disorders, as it provides in-depth insights into sleep stages, arousals, and breathing irregularities.

3. Nocturnal Pulse Oximetry:

This simple, non-invasive test involves wearing a sensor, usually on the finger, that monitors oxygen saturation levels in the blood throughout the night. While it doesn’t definitively diagnose sleep apnea, it helps detect episodes of low oxygen, which may indicate the presence of a breathing-related sleep disorder. It’s often used as a preliminary screening tool or for follow-up monitoring.

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4. Actigraphy:

Actigraphy involves wearing a small, wristwatch-like device that tracks movement and activity patterns during sleep and wakefulness. While it doesn't directly measure breathing or brain activity, it helps assess sleep duration, timing, and disturbances, making it useful for evaluating overall sleep quality, especially in cases of insomnia or circadian rhythm disorders. It’s often used in conjunction with other diagnostic tools.

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In conclusion, Dr. Shelly (Mittal) Mahajan emphasized that recognizing the differences between these conditions and seeking medical evaluation if symptoms persist is crucial to maintaining health and preventing serious complications. Early diagnosis not only ensures appropriate treatment but also helps prevent serious health issues such as high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Timely intervention can significantly improve sleep quality, overall well-being, and long-term health outcomes.