It's Not Just Snoring

The Real Risks of Sleep Apnea — and Why Men Need to Pay Attention

People sometimes categorize sleep apnea as a “snoring disease,” but, according to Oscar E. Mendez, M.D., a neurologist and sleep medicine physician with Williamson Health Medical Group, it’s much more than that. 

“Snoring can be a sign of a problem,” Dr. Mendez said. “It tells you that there’s a mechanical obstruction.”

For many men, snoring is just the beginning. When it’s accompanied by fatigue, low testosterone or metabolic issues, it may signal sleep apnea - a condition that can affect everything from cardiovascular health to blood sugar, blood pressure and mood.

What Is Sleep Apnea? 

Sleep apnea is a disorder that causes you to stop breathing repeatedly while sleeping, reducing oxygen levels and disrupting restorative sleep. There are two types: 

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA): The most common form, caused by repeated collapse or blockage of the airway during sleep. Over time, this drop in oxygen levels can produce multiple cardiovascular and metabolic changes. The condition affects up to thirty percent of men (compared to about ten percent of premenopausal women), according to the National Institutes of Health.

Central sleep apnea: A less common form, in which the brain temporarily fails to send proper signals to your breathing muscles while you sleep, causing oxygen levels to dip.

What Are the Symptoms of Sleep Apnea? 

Partners are often the first to notice signs of sleep apnea — and the conversation usually begins with a comment about snoring. Rather than explaining snoring and fatigue away as natural results of aging or a long day at work, Dr. Mendez urges men to pay attention. 

“Listen to your significant others because a comment about your snoring is often more than just a complaint,” he said. “It can point to a health issue, and it’s time to pay attention.”

Beyond snoring, symptoms include:

• Choking or gasping for air while sleeping

• Daytime sleepiness and fatigue

• Morning headaches

• Poor concentration

• Irritability or mood changes

• Low testosterone levels, decreased libido and more. 

“As a society, we’ve just become accustomed to pushing forward and not paying attention to our bodies when they send signals of alarm,” Dr. Mendez said. “With sleep apnea, people often only seek treatment after they’ve experienced a complication, and, sometimes, damage could have already occurred.” 

Risk factors include: 

• Excess weight

• Alcohol use

• Smoking

• Nasal obstruction

• Aging

• Family history 

• Airway anatomy 

What Are the Treatment Options? 

If you're experiencing these symptoms, talk to your physician. Evaluation will include a review of your medical history, assessment of risk factors and may include a sleep study.

Treatment options depend on severity. Mild cases may improve with weight loss, side sleeping and treating contributing conditions such as nasal obstruction. Moderate to severe cases are commonly treated with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP) therapy. 

Are There Alternatives to CPAP? 

Some patients may struggle with CPAP machines, which involve a mask and hose, but alternatives exist. These non-CPAP devices, such as Inspire and other implants, stimulate the nerve that controls tongue movement to keep the airway clear while sleeping and only help with obstructive sleep apnea.

“While these options are available, they are more invasive interventions,” Dr. Mendez cautioned. “CPAP is still the first line of defense, and your physician can work with you to adjust the mask and pressure to find a solution that works best for you, but it may take some time.” 

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If you suspect you may be experiencing sleep apnea or other sleep disorders, Dr. Mendez and Williamson Health’s accredited sleep specialists can help. Learn more at williamsonhealth.org/sleep. 

Want to dive even deeper into your sleep health? Listen to the second episode of Health Talks: From the Inside Out podcast, featuring Williamson Health’s Jordan Philips, M.D., for a conversation on sleep medicine and other sleep conditions.