Obstructive sleep apnea: what’s behind it and what really helps
Obstructive sleep apnea is a widespread condition. It is the triggering factor behind the disease in every second person with diabetes, and the reason for high blood pressure in every third hypertension patient. If you include the number of unreported cases, as many as one in five people in Switzerland could be affected by the underlying condition of sleep apnea.
But how does sleep apnea show itself? Through loud snoring noises combined with breathing pauses. That is what sets the condition apart from ordinary snoring—and what makes it so concerning. Because the breathing pauses often last more than ten seconds and occur multiple times per hour. Then snoring is not something to shrug off. Instead, those affected are dealing with a serious medical condition.
Learn more about obstructive sleep apnea, its diagnosis, and possible solutions on this page.
Sleep apnea is more than snoring
“Sleep apnea is far more than just disruptive snoring. Repeated nighttime breathing pauses strain the entire body and increase the risk of serious secondary conditions. The key is to clarify the cause early and choose a therapy that not only relieves symptoms, but works sustainably.”
Dr. C. Nägeli
What you should know about sleep apnea
What is obstructive sleep apnea syndrome?
Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome is a sleep-related breathing disorder in which partial or complete blockages of the upper airways occur repeatedly during sleep. The cause is usually a relaxation of the muscles in the throat, causing the tongue and soft tissue to sink backward and block airflow. As a result of these breathing pauses, blood oxygen levels drop, while the body responds with brief arousal reactions to restart breathing.
What are the symptoms of sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea mainly shows up as nighttime breathing pauses, loud and irregular snoring, and sudden gasping for air during sleep. It is also common to have restless sleep, including increased leg movements, heavy night sweating, and dry mouth in the morning. During the day, many people experience pronounced fatigue, difficulty concentrating, headaches, irritability, and reduced performance.
What causes sleep apnea?
The causes of obstructive sleep apnea involve several factors. These include being overweight and sleeping on your back. Alcohol or sedative medications before bedtime also increase the risk of nighttime breathing pauses. Smokers and patients over 60 are particularly often affected. With increasing age, muscle tone in the throat naturally decreases, which can promote the development of OSA.
Anatomical features are especially important as triggers. A narrowed nasal passage, a deviated septum, enlarged tonsils, jaw growth issues such as a retruded lower jaw, or a comparatively large tongue can obstruct airflow. In some cases, there is also a genetic predisposition
Is obstructive sleep apnea syndrome harmful to health?
Untreated obstructive sleep apnea can have serious health consequences—up to and including death. Repeated nighttime drops in oxygen and arousal reactions place a lasting strain on the heart and circulation. This increases the risk of high blood pressure, cardiac arrhythmias, heart attacks, and strokes. Metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, as well as psychological issues such as depression, may also be promoted.
What can be done about sleep apnea?
Treatment for sleep apnea depends on severity and individual anatomical conditions. Often, Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy is used first: a breathing mask keeps the airways open at night and prevents breathing pauses.
For milder forms, special dental splints can help by moving the lower jaw forward. However, patients who rely on these methods remain dependent on aids (splint, breathing mask) for life.
Is there a sleep apnea operation?
The only truly long-term method to address obstructive sleep apnea without aids is surgical therapy. The goal is to permanently eliminate the cause of the airway narrowing.
What is the Apnea–Hypopnea Index (AHI)?
The Apnea–Hypopnea Index (AHI) is a measure used in sleep medicine and indicates how many breathing pauses (apneas) and reductions in breathing (hypopneas) occur per hour of sleep. It is used to assess severity: values below 5 are considered normal, 5–14 mild, 15–29 moderate, and 30 or more severe.
The consequences of sleep apnea
If you suspect you may have sleep apnea, you should consider a medical evaluation as soon as possible. Because even if you don’t have someone beside you who is disturbed by the nightly snoring, the health consequences of this condition should not be underestimated.
People affected can develop chronic illnesses. These include high blood pressure, cardiac arrhythmias, an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes, as well as type 2 diabetes, all typical cardiovascular conditions. Even depression or loss of libido can be consequences of sleep apnea.
How sleep apnea shows up at night and during the day
At night, sleep apnea can be noticed through the following symptoms:
- loud, irregular snoring
- multiple breathing pauses during sleep
- sudden gasping for air
- restless, light sleep & frequent waking
- heavy night sweating
- dry mouth upon waking
- increased leg movements
Sleep apnea also shows up during the day, for example through:
- pronounced daytime sleepiness
- difficulty concentrating
- morning headaches
- irritability and mood swings
- falling asleep during quiet activities
- reduced performance
How the sleep apnea self-test works
If you suspect you may have sleep apnea, a simple self-test can help you gather initial clues. It does not replace a medical diagnosis, but it can help you judge whether a medical assessment makes sense.
- Pay attention to whether you regularly snore loudly, wake up abruptly more often at night, or feel unrested in the morning despite getting enough sleep.
- Recurring headaches after getting up, marked daytime sleepiness, or concentration problems can also be warning signs.
- If you sleep with a partner, it’s also worth asking whether breathing pauses, irregular breathing, or sudden gasping have been observed.
Important: the self-test can provide indications, but certainty is only possible through a medical evaluation, which is strongly recommended if sleep apnea is suspected.
Curing sleep apnea with surgery
Sleep apnea can be distressing, limiting, and even life-threatening. But there is a curative option: jaw advancement, known as Bimaxillary Rotational Advancement. This type of surgical jaw advancement is currently the only form of therapy aimed at sustainably eliminating the anatomical cause of obstructive sleep apnea.
In this procedure, the upper and lower jaw are repositioned. By advancing the jaw, tongue, and palate, the throat space is permanently widened. The airways remain open, nighttime breathing pauses can disappear and in many cases, snoring as well.
The path to treatment usually begins with thorough specialist consultation and diagnostics. Detailed examinations follow, then planning of the procedure and the subsequent recovery phase.