Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Sumiran Racherla, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
A sleep medicine doctor, who treats sleep problems, or a pulmonologist, a lung doctor, often treats obstructive sleep apnea. An ear, nose, and throat doctor may help if surgery is needed. Your regular doctor can start the evaluation. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is obstructive sleep apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a problem in which your breathing pauses during sleep. It happens because of narrowed or blocked airways. It is the most common type of sleep apnea.
Symptoms
Loud snoring is a telltale symptom of OSA. Not everyone who snores has OSA. Most people with OSA do not know their breathing starts and stops during the night. A sleep partner or family member often hears the loud snoring, gasping, and snorting.
People with sleep apnea may:
- Have a long silent period in their snoring, followed by a loud snort and gasp.
- Feel sleepy or drowsy throughout the day.
- Feel sleepy while driving, or even fall asleep while driving.
- Have headaches, especially in the morning.
Causes and who gets it
During sleep, all of the muscles in your body relax, including the ones that keep your throat open. Some people have a narrow throat. When the muscles in the upper throat relax during sleep, the tissues close in and block the airway. This stop in breathing is called apnea.
These things can raise your risk:
- A lower jaw that is short compared to your upper jaw.
- A large neck or collar size: 17 inches (43 centimeters) or more in men and 16 inches (41 centimeters) or more in women.
- Obesity.
- Large tonsils and adenoids that can block the airway.
Sleeping on your back can also cause your airway to become blocked or narrowed. You are more at risk if you are overweight, male, or have a family history.
How doctors diagnose it
Your provider will take your medical history and do a physical exam. The provider will check your mouth, neck, and throat.
You will need a sleep study to confirm OSA. This testing can be done in your home or in a sleep lab.
Treatment
Treatment helps keep your airway open while you sleep so your breathing does not stop. Lifestyle changes may help relieve symptoms in people with mild sleep apnea. They include:
- Avoid alcohol or medicines that make you sleepy before bedtime, because they can make symptoms worse.
- Avoid sleeping on your back.
- Lose excess weight.
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices work well to treat OSA in most people. You wear a mask over your nose, or over your nose and mouth, while you sleep. A small machine pumps air under pressure into your airway to help keep it open. It can take some time to get used to CPAP. Good follow-up and support from a sleep center can help you overcome any problems.
Dental devices may help some people. You wear them in your mouth while you sleep to keep your jaw forward and the airway open. In December 2024, the US Food and Drug Administration approved a medicine called tirzepatide (Zepbound) for treating moderate to severe OSA. Other treatments may exist, but there is less evidence that they work. Talk with a provider who specializes in sleep problems before trying them.
Surgery is often a last resort if other treatments did not work and you have severe symptoms. Surgery may be used to remove extra tissue at the back of the throat. Surgery may not completely cure OSA and may have long-term side effects.
In most cases, treatment completely relieves symptoms and problems from sleep apnea.
When to see a doctor
Contact your provider if you feel very tired and sleepy during the day. Call too if symptoms do not improve with treatment, or new symptoms develop.
People with sleep apnea are at higher risk for car crashes and work-related accidents. Untreated sleep apnea increases the risk for stroke, heart attack, and other serious problems.
Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have chest pain or discomfort lasting two minutes or more, fainting, or sudden weakness or a sudden change in vision.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Either can listen to your symptoms, refer you to a sleep specialist, and keep track of your care over time.
Common questions
Does everyone who snores have sleep apnea?
No, not everyone who snores has OSA. Snoring is caused by air squeezing through a narrowed or blocked airway.
Can sleep apnea be treated?
Yes, treatment works for most people. CPAP devices work well to treat OSA in most people.
What happens if sleep apnea is not treated?
Untreated sleep apnea can cause serious health problems. Untreated OSA may lead to or worsen heart disease, including heart attack, heart failure, and high blood pressure.
How is sleep apnea diagnosed?
A sleep study confirms the diagnosis. It can be done at home or in a sleep lab.
Sources
- MedlinePlus - Obstructive sleep apnea - adults
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute - Sleep Apnea
- MedlinePlus - Sleep Apnea
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
