What Obstructive Sleep Apnea Is
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) occurs when the muscles of the throat and tongue relax during sleep and block the airway, creating pauses in breathing. These pauses trigger a stress response in the nervous system, drop blood oxygen levels, increase blood pressure, and fragment sleep. Many adults don’t realize they have OSA because they may not remember waking up repeatedly during the night — their brain is responding automatically to survive, not to get restorative rest.
OSA is far more common than most people think. It is estimated that millions of adults in the U.S. live with undiagnosed sleep-disordered breathing, and the condition is closely associated with metabolic disorders, cardiovascular disease, cognitive decline, and chronic fatigue.
The 3 Most Common Symptoms of OSA
1. Loud, Persistent Snoring
Snoring by itself isn’t always OSA — but when it is loud, frequent, or disruptive, it signals narrowed or collapsing airways.
Many patients are unaware until someone else mentions it: a spouse, roommate, or family member. Snoring is a sign that the airway is vibrating due to restricted airflow.
Key indicators:
- Snoring louder than normal conversation
- Snoring every night or most nights
- Snoring that worsens when lying on your back or after alcohol
2. Witnessed Apneas or Gasping
If someone has ever said, “You stop breathing in your sleep”, or you wake up gasping, choking, or needing to catch your breath — that is a classic OSA warning.
These episodes are the body’s emergency response to oxygen deprivation:
- Oxygen drops
- Brain triggers a micro-arousal
- You breathe again — often with a gasp or snort
Even if you don’t remember waking up, these repeated arousals fragment sleep and stress the cardiovascular system.
3. Unrefreshing Sleep or Daytime Sleepiness
You may “sleep” 7–9 hours yet wake up feeling exhausted, foggy, anxious, or irritable.
This is because your sleep cycles are interrupted dozens or hundreds of times per night, preventing deep restorative sleep.
Look for:
- Needing caffeine throughout the day
- Napping unintentionally
- Reduced concentration or memory
- Falling asleep during meetings, reading, or at stoplights
If you wake feeling like you “never really slept,” it’s time to evaluate your airway.
Who Is at Higher Risk?
OSA can affect anyone — adults, children, lean, athletic, or overweight. However, these factors increase risk:
- Chronic nasal congestion or sinusitis
- Mouth breathing during the day or night
- Enlarged tonsils or adenoids
- Anatomical airway restriction (narrow palate, retruded jaw)
- TMJ/TMD history
- Family history of sleep apnea or heavy snoring
- Post-menopause or hormonal shifts
- Obesity or weight changes
- Alcohol use before bed
- Former or current smoking
Importantly, you do not need to be overweight to have OSA — airway structure and breathing patterns matter as much as BMI.
A Simple Self-Checklist
If you answer YES to two or more, schedule a sleep evaluation:
- Do you snore loudly or every night?
- Has someone witnessed you stop breathing?
- Do you feel unrefreshed after a full night’s sleep?
- Do you wake with dry mouth, headaches, or jaw pain?
- Do you grind your teeth or clench at night?
- Do you mouth breathe during the day?
- Are you sleepy, irritable, or foggy during the day?
If you’re unsure, ask a bed partner, family member, or roommate for their observations.
How OSA Is Diagnosed
Home Sleep Apnea Tests (HSAT)
Modern home devices record breathing, oxygen drops, heart rate, and sleep disruptions in a single night.
They’re comfortable, widely accepted, and ideal for adults with moderate risk. Many patients start here.
Laboratory Sleep Study (Polysomnography)
If stronger suspicion exists, or if you have comorbidities such as COPD, neuromuscular disease, or heart problems, an in-lab overnight study provides a full diagnostic picture.
You don’t need to “snore for the test” — specialists review body position, REM sleep, airflow, muscle tone, and more.
Treatment Pathways
OSA treatment isn’t one-size-fits-all. The best approach depends on anatomy, breathing habits, and severity.
CPAP and AutoPAP
Delivered airway pressure keeps the airway open. Still the standard for moderate-severe OSA.
Compliance varies and is the biggest barrier to effectiveness — especially if airway dysfunction, nasal obstruction, or mouth breathing are not addressed.
Oral Appliances
Custom dental devices advance the jaw, widen the airway, and can reduce apnea indices.
Can be effective with mild-moderate obstructive sleep apnea(OSA) and patients who cannot tolerate CPAP.
Myofunctional Therapy (Functional Airway Therapy)
Targeted therapy retrains tongue posture, improves nasal breathing, strengthens airway muscles, and stabilizes sleep.
This is especially helpful if snoring stems from mouth breathing, weak oral muscles, or poor tongue posture.
This is a core service at BreatheWorks:
- Functional exercises
- Breath retraining
- Posture and diaphragm coordination
- Collaboration with dentists, orthodontists, ENTs, and sleep physicians
What Successful Care Looks Like
- You wake up rested and clear-headed
- Snoring reduces or disappears
- Fewer nighttime awakenings
- Improved focus and performance
- Reduced jaw clenching, tmj headache, or nasal congestion
- Better mood and energy
Many patients experience life-changing improvements when treatment addresses both airway structure and airway function.
FAQ
What if I don’t snore? You can still have OSA — especially if you experience daytime sleepiness, morning headaches, trouble concentrating, or chronic mouth breathing.
Can kids have OSA? Yes. Pediatric OSA often presents as snoring, mouth breathing, bedwetting, hyperactivity, anxiety, or behavioral changes.
Do I need a referral? Not always. We can help coordinate home sleep testing, collaborate with your provider, and design therapy plans that fit your goals.
Next Steps: Testing and Care
If you recognize yourself in these symptoms, the most important step is evaluation.
BreatheWorks supports adults and families across Oregon, Washington, Nevada, and Texas with:
- Functional airway & sleep therapy: /services/sleep-apnea-therapy
- Myofunctional therapy for breathing, posture, and tongue posture: /services/myofunctional-therapy
- Clinic and virtual locations: /locations
- Insurance information and coverage options: /insurance
We work hand-in-hand with sleep physicians, dentists, orthodontists, and ENTs to ensure your airway is not just treated — it’s strengthened for long-term health.
