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Obstructive sleep apnea
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Condition

Obstructive sleep apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea is a common condition marked by pauses in breathing during sleep due to upper airway closure, resulting in interrupted sleep, low oxygen levels, and an increased risk of various health complications.

Overview

Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition in which individuals experience pauses in breathing (apnea) during sleep, which are associated with partial or complete closure of the throat (upper airway). Complete closure can lead to apnea while partial closure allows breathing but decrease the intake of oxygen (hypopnea).

Individuals with obstructive sleep apnea may experience interrupted sleep with frequent awakenings and loud snoring. Repeated pauses in breathing lead to episodes of lower-than-normal oxygen levels (hypoxemia) and a buildup of carbon dioxide (hypercapnia) in the bloodstream. Interrupted and poor quality sleep can lead to daytime sleepiness and fatigue, impaired attention and memory, headaches, depression, and sexual dysfunction. Daytime sleepiness leads to a higher risk of motor vehicle accidents in individuals with obstructive sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea is also associated with an increased risk of developing insulin resistance, which is an inability to regulate blood sugar (glucose) levels effectively; high blood pressure (hypertension); heart disease; and stroke.

Frequency

Obstructive sleep apnea is a common condition. It is estimated to affect 2 to 4 percent of children and at least 10 percent of adults worldwide. Males are twice as likely as females to have obstructive sleep apnea.

Causes & Risk Factors

The causes of obstructive sleep apnea are often complex. This condition results from a combination of genetic, health, and lifestyle factors, many of which have not been identified. Studies suggest that variations in multiple genes, each with a small effect, combine to increase the risk of developing the condition. However, it is unclear what contribution each of these genetic changes makes to disease risk. Most of the variations have been identified in single studies, and subsequent research has not verified them.

Genes thought to be associated with the development of obstructive sleep apnea are involved in many body processes. These include communication between nerve cells, breathing regulation, control of inflammatory responses by the immune system, development of tissues in the head and face (craniofacial development), the sleep-wake cycle, and appetite control.

Obesity is a major risk factor for obstructive sleep apnea as 60 to 70 percent of individuals with this condition have obesity. It is thought that excess fatty tissue in the head and neck constricts airways and abdominal fat may prevent the chest and lungs from fully expanding and relaxing. Other risk factors for obstructive sleep apnea include alcohol use; frequent nasal congestion; and blockages of airways, such as by enlarged tonsils.

Obstructive sleep apnea often occurs on its own, without signs and symptoms affecting other parts of the body. However, it can also occur as part of a syndrome, such as mucopolysaccharidosis type I or polycystic ovary syndrome.

Inheritance

The inheritance pattern of obstructive sleep apnea is unclear. Overall, the risk of developing this condition is about 50 percent greater for (such as siblings or children) of affected individuals as compared to the general public.

Other Names

  • Apnea, obstructive
  • Obstructive apnea
  • Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome
  • OSA
  • OSAHS
  • OSAS
  • SAHS
  • Sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome
  • Sleep apnea syndrome, obstructive
  • Sleep apnea, obstructive
  • Sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome
  • Upper airway resistance sleep apnea syndrome

Frequently Asked Questions

Several lifestyle adjustments can be beneficial. These include losing weight if you are overweight or obese, avoiding alcohol and sedatives, especially before bed, quitting smoking, sleeping on your side instead of your back, and maintaining a regular sleep schedule. Elevating the head of your bed can also sometimes help.
While loud, chronic snoring is a common indicator, other important signs include gasping or choking during sleep, frequent pauses in breathing noticed by a bed partner, excessive daytime sleepiness, morning headaches, difficulty concentrating, irritability, and waking up with a dry mouth or sore throat. If you experience these regularly, it's important to talk to a doctor.
Diagnosis usually involves a sleep study, known as polysomnography, which can be done either in a sleep lab or sometimes at home. This test monitors your breathing, oxygen levels, heart rate, brain activity, and body movements during sleep to identify pauses in breathing and their severity. A doctor will also consider your symptoms and medical history.
Untreated obstructive sleep apnea significantly increases your risk for several serious health problems. These include high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, irregular heartbeats, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes, and a higher risk of motor vehicle accidents due to daytime sleepiness. It can also worsen depression and reduce overall quality of life.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

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