Sleep apnoea: symptoms, diagnosis and treatments

Sleep apnoea: what it is

Sleep apnoea — more precisely obstructive sleep apnoea-hypopnoea syndrome (OSAHS) — is the repeated occurrence, during sleep, of breathing pauses (apnoeas) or marked reductions in airflow (hypopnoeas). They are caused by the throat muscles relaxing and blocking the upper airway. Each event triggers a brief, often unnoticed micro-arousal to restore breathing.

The issue is less the single apnoea than its repetition all night long: fragmented, non-restorative sleep and fluctuating blood oxygen. This explains morning tiredness and, over time, possible cardiovascular and metabolic consequences. OSAHS is often managed jointly by the family doctor and an ENT or sleep specialist.

It is not snoring itself that matters, but the breathing pauses it may hide: sleep that is constantly interrupted no longer restores.

Recognising the warning signs

Symptoms split into what happens at night (often reported by a partner) and what is felt during the day.

At night: loud, long-standing snoring, especially when broken by silences and noisy resumptions; observed breathing pauses; a choking sensation; restless sleep and frequent night-time urination.

During the day: morning headaches, a dry mouth, the feeling of not having recovered, and above all daytime sleepiness — dozing off while sitting, driving or in meetings. Poor concentration and irritability are common.

No single sign confirms the diagnosis, but their combination should prompt a consultation. Only a health professional can confirm OSAHS.

Risk factors

Overweight and obesity, age, male sex, certain airway anatomies (wide neck, large tonsils, receding jaw), evening alcohol or sedatives, and smoking all raise the risk. In children, enlarged tonsils and adenoids are a classic cause, to be assessed by an ENT.

How the diagnosis is made

Diagnosis rests on a sleep recording, prescribed after a clinical exam and targeted questioning.

Respiratory polygraphy records breathing parameters over one night, usually at home: airflow, chest and abdominal movements, snoring and blood oxygen. It suits screening when suspicion is high.

Polysomnography is the most complete exam. On top of breathing, it analyses sleep itself (brain activity, eye and muscle movements) to identify sleep stages and micro-arousals. It is preferred in complex or inconclusive cases.

Results are expressed as an apnoea-hypopnoea index — events per hour of sleep — grading the syndrome as mild, moderate or severe.

| Night-time signs | Daytime signs | |---|---| | Loud, long-standing snoring | Daytime sleepiness | | Observed breathing pauses | Morning headaches | | Choking sensation, abrupt awakenings | Fatigue, unrefreshing sleep | | Restless sleep, frequent urination | Poor concentration, irritability |

The main treatment families

Care depends on severity and profile, and is always decided with the doctor or ENT. Three broad approaches exist, often combined.

Lifestyle: acting on modifiable factors — weight loss, less evening alcohol, stopping smoking, caution with sleeping pills, sometimes sleep position. These measures do not always replace treatment, but they improve its effect.

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the reference treatment for moderate to severe forms. A device delivers low-pressure air through a mask, keeping the airway open during sleep. Its benefit depends directly on adherence: the more it is used each night, the clearer the gains for sleepiness and alertness.

Mandibular advancement device: a custom night appliance that moves the lower jaw forward to open the airway — an option in milder forms or CPAP intolerance. ENT surgery may be discussed in specific anatomical situations.

Tracking adherence and coordinating care

OSAHS is a chronic condition: diagnosis is only the start, and follow-up makes the difference. Checking CPAP adherence, reassessing sleepiness, adjusting the device and coordinating the ENT, family doctor and pulmonologist all rely on an up-to-date record. Software like Cabdivin helps the practitioner centralise reports, schedule review appointments with automatic reminders and generate readable summaries for other clinicians. Its features for scheduling, records and reports structure this follow-up without adding admin. Patients can also find a practitioner in Morocco through the Cabdivin directory.

Key takeaway

Sleep apnoea is common and under-diagnosed; its signs — snoring, night-time pauses, daytime sleepiness, morning headaches — warrant a consultation. Diagnosis relies on polygraphy or polysomnography, and treatment combines lifestyle measures, CPAP and sometimes an oral appliance, within coordinated follow-up. For the professionals who care for these patients, Cabdivin structures follow-up: centralised records, appointment reminders, reports and coordination. Free 14-day trial, no credit card required.