Overview
Obstructive sleep apnea causes repeated breathing pauses during sleep. It drives daytime fatigue, high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation, and cognitive problems. Home sleep tests make diagnosis much easier than it used to be.
Symptoms to watch for
- Loud snoring
- Witnessed breathing pauses
- Gasping or choking at night
- Morning headaches
- Daytime fatigue despite full night's sleep
- Dry mouth in the morning
- Difficult-to-control blood pressure
How it's diagnosed
STOP-BANG screening tool + home sleep apnea test (WatchPAT, ARES) or in-lab polysomnography.
Treatment
CPAP is gold standard. Alternatives: oral appliances (dentist-fitted), positional therapy, weight loss, Inspire implant, and — since 2024 — GLP-1 medications (tirzepatide) for OSA with obesity.
When to book a visit
Book if snoring is loud, sleep is unrefreshing, or partner has witnessed pauses.
Book online todayFrequently asked
Do I need an in-lab study?
Most healthy adults can start with a home sleep test — a telehealth clinician can order one.