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Serious severity
· MD Medicine
Sleep Apnea
Pauses in breathing during sleep · OSA
Throat collapses repeatedly during sleep, dropping oxygen and waking the brain. Untreated, it raises BP, heart disease, diabetes and crash risk.
At a glance
- Prevalence
- Rising with Indian urban obesity
- Typical age
- Adults, snoring louder after 30
- Outlook
- Highly treatable
- System
- Lungs
Reviewed by a verified MD Medicine doctor
What causes it
Causes
- Obesity, neck circumference
- Large tonsils / adenoids
- Alcohol, sedatives at night
- Smoking
- Hypothyroidism
How it feels
Symptoms & effects
- Loud snoring with pauses
- Daytime sleepiness
- Morning headache
- Mood swings, low libido
- High BP, refractory
How it’s treated
Treatment & cure
- Home sleep study or polysomnography
- CPAP therapy nightly
- Weight loss — biggest lever
- Mandibular advancement device
- Surgery (UPPP, MMA) in select cases
Staying ahead
Prevention
- Maintain healthy weight
- Avoid alcohol before sleep
- Side-sleep position
- Treat nasal congestion
Do’s
- Use CPAP every night, even on holiday
- Lose weight if BMI > 25
- Sleep on side, head elevated
- Treat allergic rhinitis
Don’ts
- Drive when sleepy
- Take sedatives without doctor
- Drink alcohol at dinner
- Quit CPAP without re-titration
See a doctor immediately if
Symptoms are sudden or severe, getting worse despite home care, or interfering with sleep, work or daily life. Don’t self-diagnose from the internet — book a verified clinician below.
Top specialists
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Disclaimer ·
This article is educational and reviewed by clinicians, but it cannot replace an in-person assessment.
Medication doses, prevention advice and treatment choices vary by person. Always confirm with a doctor before acting on anything here.