Can you have apnea without snoring

Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission.

We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. A study shows that the number of people with known sleep apnea continues to grow, affecting:.

If you have 15 or more of these episodes per hour, your apnea is considered moderate to severe. And the health impact is enormous. If you have heart failure , it increases your risk of hospital admission. Sleep apnea also raises your risk of motor vehicle accidents, work-related injuries and accidents, and academic underachievement at all ages, even in early childhood.

Most telling: Worldwide, people with obstructive apnea rate their quality of life worse in every dimension. Obstructive sleep apnea is also a concern with certain medications and general anesthesia. These medications, such as sedatives, narcotic analgesics and general anesthetics, relax your upper airway and can worsen your obstructive sleep apnea. If you have obstructive sleep apnea, having major surgery, especially after being sedated and lying on your back, can worsen breathing problems.

People with obstructive sleep apnea might be more prone to complications after surgery. Before you have surgery, tell your doctor if you have obstructive sleep apnea or symptoms related to the condition.

Your doctor might want you tested for obstructive sleep apnea before surgery. People with obstructive sleep apnea may also complain of memory problems, morning headaches, mood swings or depression, and a need to urinate frequently at night.

People with obstructive sleep apnea have been found to be at higher risk for developing a severe form of COVID and needing hospital treatment than those who don't have obstructive sleep apnea. Sleep apnea, obstructive care at Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products.

Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Obstructive sleep apnea Open pop-up dialog box Close. Obstructive sleep apnea Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the muscles that support the soft tissues in your throat, such as your tongue and soft palate, temporarily relax. More Information Sleep apnea, obstructive care at Mayo Clinic 6 surprising signs you may have obstructive sleep apnea.

Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Jameson JL, et al. Sleep apnea.

In: Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. McGraw-Hill; Accessed March 15, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Sleep apnea is also a risk factor for stroke and can affect insulin resistance, leading to diabetes. The potentially fatal consequences of sleep apnea, such as heart disease, generally occur over time. When someone with sleep apnea stops breathing during sleep, the body senses it and steps in.

The risk of death also depends on the severity of sleep apnea. A much less common type is called central sleep apnea, when the airway is open, but the brain does not send a signal to breathe. This type is sometimes seen in people with advanced heart disease or neurological disorders, or those taking narcotic medications.

Often, it consists of a characteristic rhythmic pattern of pauses in breathing or slow breathing followed by periods of rapid breathing. Most people with sleep apnea snore, but not everyone does.

Also, you may snore and not know it, especially if your bed partner is a heavy sleeper or you sleep alone. Though sometimes medicines, such as decongestants, can help symptoms. This type is less common. Snoring is just the vibration sound created by airway resistance. You can snore loudly and not have sleep apnea, and you may even have sleep apnea without much snoring. People with sleep apnea might also suffer from unexplained fatigue and mood swings, because their breathing interruptions continually wake them and prevent them from settling into a deep, nourishing sleep.

The consequences can be significant, Jun says. Other sufferers might wake up with a dry mouth, since sleep apnea tends to make you breathe with an open mouth, drying out your saliva. Some awaken with a headache, which may be caused by low oxygen or high carbon dioxide levels during sleep. There are many studies showing that losing weight can either completely cure you of sleep apnea or at least make it less severe," Jun says.

Several studies have shown an association between sleep apnea and problems like type 2 diabetes , strokes , heart attacks and even a shortened lifespan, says Jun. Why this connection? For one thing, obesity is common in sleep apnea patients, and obesity greatly increases risks of diabetes, stroke and heart attack, he says. Furthermore, evidence suggests an independent link between sleep apnea and diabetes.

For people who are overweight or obese, weight loss is key for treating or avoiding sleep apnea.