What causes sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is a breathing disorder that occurs during sleep and causes pauses in breathing. The brain then intervenes to wake you just enough to catch your breath, but this prevents deep, restorative sleep.
In the long term, this condition can have serious health consequences, particularly cardiovascular ones.
Fortunately, effective treatments now exist to improve sleep quality and overall health.

Discover our sleep mask .

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What is sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is a condition where breathing stops or becomes abnormal during sleep.
This phenomenon can occur because of:

From a mechanical blockage of the airways (obstructive sleep apnea).
From a dysfunction of the nervous control of breathing (central sleep apnea).

When oxygen levels drop, the body triggers a survival reflex that briefly wakes you up. While this mechanism is protective, it disrupts sleep cycles and puts strain on the heart.

A healthcare professional can develop a personalized treatment plan to help improve breathing at night and prevent complications.

The different types of sleep apnea

There are three main forms of sleep apnea:

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA): the throat muscles relax, compressing the airways and blocking the passage of air.
Central sleep apnea (CSA): the brain no longer sends signals correctly to the respiratory muscles.
Mixed or complex apnea: a combination of the two previous forms.

Frequency of sleep apnea

According to some studies, nearly one billion adults aged 30 to 69 worldwide suffer from obstructive sleep apnea ( Benjafield et al., Lancet Respiratory Medicine , 2019). ).
Central apnea is less common, but still far from rare.

Symptoms and causes of sleep apnea

Sleep apnea can cause symptoms during the night and during the day.

Nighttime symptoms:

Repeated awakenings during the night.
Breathing pauses observed by the partner.
Irregular breathing (rapid cycle, then slower, until stopping).
Loud snoring or noisy breathing.
A feeling of suffocation or shortness of breath during sleep.

Daytime symptoms:

Excessive fatigue or drowsiness during the day.
Difficulty concentrating or staying awake.
Headaches upon waking.
Mood swings, irritability, anxiety or depression.
Night sweats.
Sexual disorders (decreased libido).

💡 In children, the signs can be different: nighttime restlessness, enuresis (bedwetting), learning difficulties or behavioral problems.

Symptoms

What are the causes of sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea occurs either because of an obstruction in the airways or because of a problem with nerve control.
Common causes include:

Obesity or being overweight.
An anatomical malformation of the nose, jaw or throat.
Enlarged tonsils.
Certain heart or neurological diseases.
The consumption of alcohol, sedatives or smoking.

Risk factors

Anyone can develop sleep apnea, including children.
However, the risk increases in people who:

Having a family history of sleep apnea.
Aged over 50.
Male (under 50 years old).
Suffering from hypertension, a stroke, or heart failure.
Overweight or obese.

Although obesity remains an important factor, it should be remembered that sleep apnea can affect all body types.

Possible complications

Without treatment, sleep apnea can lead to serious consequences:

Excessive daytime sleepiness (risk of accidents).
Heart rhythm disorders (such as atrial fibrillation).
High blood pressure.
Heart failure or damage to the heart muscle.
In extreme cases: sudden cardiac death.

For further information, see this summary article accessible to the general public: Sleep Foundation – Sleep Apnea .
Furthermore, recent data links sleep apnea to an increased risk of stroke ( NIH – Sleep Apnea Linked to Higher Stroke Risk) ).

Complications

Diagnosis and testing for sleep apnea

How is sleep apnea diagnosed?

To make a diagnosis, the sleep specialist (often a pulmonologist or neurologist) begins with a clinical interview: he asks you about your symptoms, your sleep habits and your medical history.
If he suspects apnea, he will offer you a sleep study to confirm the diagnosis.

What tests can confirm sleep apnea?

The most common tests include:

Polysomnography (PSG) : This is the reference test. Performed in a sleep laboratory, it records your brain activity, heart rate, breathing, eye movements and oxygen levels during the night.
Home sleep test : a simplified version of the PSG, often used to detect obstructive sleep apnea. This test does not measure brain activity and may therefore miss some cases of central sleep apnea.

💡 Helpful tip: If you suspect sleep apnea in yourself or a loved one, it can be useful to film or record their sleep, especially snoring or breathing pauses. These recordings can help your doctor speed up diagnosis.

Sleep apnea severity levels

Specialists use the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), also called the Apnea-Hypopnea Index, to determine the severity of the disorder.
This index measures the average number of apnea or hypopnea episodes per hour of sleep.

Severity — Number of events/hour

Light: 5 to 14
Moderate: 15 to 29
Severe: 30 or more

Which organs are affected by sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is not limited to the respiratory system: it affects several vital systems, including:

The cardiovascular system, which is under stress due to a lack of oxygen.
The central nervous system is disrupted by repeated awakenings and poor sleep quality.

These combined effects can, in the long term, increase the risk of serious illnesses: hypertension, heart attack, stroke, cognitive disorders…

organs

Treatments and management of sleep apnea

How to treat sleep apnea?

Treatment depends on the type of apnea (obstructive, central or mixed) and its severity.
The goal is to restore normal breathing during sleep and avoid complications.
The most effective solutions include:

Respiratory devices: the best known is the CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure), a device that sends pressurized air to keep the airways open.
Mandibular advancement orthosis (MAO): a custom-made dental splint that slightly advances the lower jaw to free the passage of air.
Neuromuscular stimulation (NMES): a device that prevents the tongue and throat muscles from blocking breathing.
Medication: In some cases of central apnea, drug treatments can help regulate breathing.
Changes in sleeping position: avoid sleeping on your back, as this position promotes obstruction of the airways.
Treatment of underlying causes: weight loss, treatment of hypothyroidism, smoking cessation, reduction of alcohol and sedatives.

( Comfort tip : discover our breathable and adjustable sleep mask) (to better tolerate your nights.)

Possible surgical interventions

In severe or treatment-resistant cases, surgical procedures may be considered to widen or clear the airways:

Jaw surgery (osteotomy or maxillomandibular advancement): repositions the jaw bones to free the pharynx.
Nasal surgery (septoplasty): corrects a deviation of the nasal septum to improve breathing.
Removal of the tonsils or uvula (uvulopalatoplasty) in cases of anatomical obstruction.

Each patient is different: the choice of treatment is always made after a complete assessment by a sleep specialist.

Treatment objective

The goal is simple: to improve sleep quality, reduce symptoms and prevent cardiovascular complications.
Appropriate treatment can transform a patient's life in a matter of weeks: more energy, better concentration, and a reduced risk of accidents.

Prognosis and progression of sleep apnea

Can sleep apnea be cured?

There is no universal cure for all forms of sleep apnea.
However, in some cases — particularly obstructive sleep apnea — weight loss, surgery, or the use of appropriate breathing devices can completely eliminate the symptoms.

Regular medical follow-up is essential to adjust treatment over time and to ensure that sleep remains restorative.

What can we expect after a diagnosis?

Sleep apnea profoundly disrupts sleep quality.
Without treatment, it can cause:

Chronic fatigue.
A decrease in concentration.
An increased risk of road or work accidents.
Mood disorders.

With appropriate care, the majority of patients experience a rapid improvement in their general condition, energy, and well-being.

Life expectancy and sleep apnea

Untreated sleep apnea can reduce life expectancy due to cardiovascular and metabolic complications.
But with effective treatment and regular follow-up, it is entirely possible to live a normal and long life.

Each case is unique: only your sleep doctor will be able to accurately assess the risks according to your personal situation.

life

Prevention of sleep apnea

Although it is not always possible to avoid the onset of this disorder, certain habits can significantly reduce the risk.

Best practices for preventing sleep apnea:

Maintaining a healthy weight through a balanced diet and regular physical activity.
Avoid alcohol, tobacco and sedative medications before bedtime.
Adopt good sleep hygiene: regular bedtime, quiet and dark room, no screens before sleep.
Controlling chronic diseases: hypertension, diabetes, cholesterol.
Consult a healthcare professional regularly, especially in cases of significant snoring or excessive sleepiness.

These measures do not replace medical treatment, but they improve the effectiveness of devices such as CPAP or orthotics.

Living with sleep apnea

How to best manage the illness on a daily basis?

Managing sleep apnea requires a consistent commitment, but the benefits are considerable. Here are some practical tips:

Adopting sustainable lifestyle changes

Review your diet, engage in gentle and regular physical activity.
Reduce aggravating factors (alcohol, tobacco, overweight).

Follow the treatment meticulously

Effectiveness depends on the regularity of use of the CPAP or dental mouthguard.
Do not hesitate to report any discomfort to your doctor: uncomfortable mask, dryness, irritation, etc.

Communicating with your medical team

Your specialist can adjust the settings or recommend another device if necessary.
Dialogue helps to prevent treatment from being abandoned.

Conduct regular check-ups

Especially in the first few months, to ensure that the therapy is working properly.

When should you seek emergency medical attention?

Go to the emergency room (or call 15/112) if you experience symptoms suggestive of a serious complication:

Chest pain, tightness or severe shortness of breath.
Sudden weakness on one side of the body, speech or vision problems (risk of stroke).
Difficulty breathing, feeling of suffocation or noisy breathing at rest.

These signs may indicate a heart attack or stroke, two major risks associated with untreated sleep apnea.

emergency

Questions to ask your doctor

To better understand and manage your disorder, here are some helpful questions:

What type of sleep apnea do I have?
Which treatment is best suited to my case?
How to make the CPAP mask more comfortable?
Are there any side effects to be aware of?
How can I avoid sleeping on my back?
What warning signs should I watch for?

Key message to remember

Sleep apnea is a common but manageable disorder.
Often, the person suffering from it does not realize it until a loved one notices unusual breathing pauses or snoring.
Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment can restore restful sleep, prevent complications and significantly improve quality of life.

Summary of key points:

Sleep apnea causes repeated pauses in breathing during the night.
It can be obstructive, central, or mixed.
It causes significant daytime fatigue and increases cardiovascular risks.
The diagnosis is based on polysomnography or a home sleep test.
Treatment includes CPAP, orthotics, and sometimes surgery.
Lifestyle changes enhance the effectiveness of the treatment.

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