Sleep Apnea Support, Every Step of the Way

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that causes breathing to repeatedly pause or become shallow during sleep. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), the most common type, occurs when the upper airway becomes blocked, reducing or stopping airflow.

Snoring isn't always sleep apnea, but loud, frequent snoring is one of the most common symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea. Other signs, such as gasping or choking during sleep, daytime sleepiness, morning headaches, or witnessed breathing pauses, make sleep apnea more likely. If you have persistent snoring along with any of these symptoms, a sleep study can help determine whether OSA is the cause.

Both cause pauses in breathing during sleep. In obstructive sleep apnea, the pauses happen because the airway becomes blocked. In central sleep apnea, the brain temporarily fails to send the signals needed to control breathing. Central sleep apnea is much less common than obstructive sleep apnea in adults.

In many cases, yes. A doctor can prescribe an at-home sleep apnea test, which is best suited for people suspected of having moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea that isn't complicated by other disorders. A doctor reviews the results and makes the diagnosis. In-lab testing is still the gold standard.

Most health insurance plans, including Medicare, cover sleep studies when a doctor orders them and they are medically necessary. You may still owe copays, coinsurance, or a deductible, and coverage varies by plan, so check with your insurance provider before scheduling the test.

For most people, obstructive sleep apnea is a chronic condition that requires long-term management, so CPAP is often an ongoing treatment. Some people can change treatment after substantial weight loss, surgery, or a switch to an oral appliance. Talk with your doctor before stopping CPAP, as a follow-up sleep study may be needed.