What is it?
When you fall asleep, the muscles in your throat relax and the airway can close. Breathing stops for anywhere from a few seconds to a minute, until your brain briefly wakes your body to breathe again. This can happen many times an hour, all night, and you won't remember any of it in the morning. Doctors call it obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
Researchers estimate that about 80% of people with moderate to severe sleep apnea don't know they have it.
Signs to watch for
- Snoring loud enough to bother the person next to you
- Someone notices you stop breathing, then choke or gasp
- Feeling tired after a full night's sleep; nodding off in front of the TV or while driving
- Morning headaches or a dry mouth
- Waking often to urinate, poor concentration, irritability
- Blood pressure that stays high even on medication
Why it matters
Each pause lowers the oxygen in your blood and puts extra strain on your heart. Left untreated, sleep apnea is linked to high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat (atrial fibrillation), heart failure, stroke and type 2 diabetes. Daytime drowsiness also causes road crashes.
Check yourself (STOP-Bang)
Give yourself one point for each "yes":
- Do you snore loudly enough to bother a bed partner?
- Are you tired during the day, or do you fall asleep during daily activities?
- Has anyone seen you stop breathing or gasp in your sleep?
- Do you have high blood pressure?
- Is your body mass index (BMI) over 35?
- Are you older than 50?
- Is your neck more than 16 inches (40 cm) around?
- Are you male?
3 or 4 points: moderate risk, so talk to your doctor. 5 or more: high risk, so get tested soon. The questions show risk; only a sleep test can confirm it.
How it's diagnosed
A sleep study confirms it. It can be done at home with a small device, or overnight in a sleep lab (polysomnography). In Canada, the UK and similar countries your family doctor can refer you. In India it costs roughly ₹6,000 to ₹35,000, depending on the city and the type of test.
Treatment is simple
The main treatment is a CPAP machine. It sends a gentle stream of air through a mask over your nose or face while you sleep, which keeps the airway from closing. Many people feel more rested within days. It only works if you use it every night, and if the mask is uncomfortable, ask for a different size or style.
Other things help too: losing weight, sleeping on your side instead of your back, avoiding alcohol before bed and stopping smoking. For mild cases, a dentist-made mouth guard can work. Ask whether your insurance or a provincial or government program covers the machine.
The bottom line
If someone in your family snores loudly and is always tired, don't laugh it off. One sleep test and one machine can save a life.
Sources
- Sleep Foundation: the STOP-Bang questionnaire
- CARE Hospitals: sleep study cost in India
- American Heart Association: 2025 High Blood Pressure Guideline, top things to know
Facts and prices checked on: 2026-10-27