When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Heres how it works.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea is a common sleep disorder that is characterized by brief interruptions to your breathing during sleep.

However, it is estimated that as many as80% of people with obstructive sleep apnea are undiagnosed.

The image shows a man sleeping on his back with his mouth open and his arm above his head

So what exactly is obstructive sleep apnea, and how do you know if you have it?

These apneas can last several seconds and occasionally over a minute and they can occur multiple times every night.

What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

A man sleeping on his back with his mouth open snoring

This results in interrupted breathing, often followed by gasping or choking.

Sometimes its hereditary, or linked to conditions like enlarged tonsils or adenoids.

Alcohol relaxes the muscles of the throat and airway, making airway obstruction more likely.

A woman stifles a yawn as she looks out of the window during her commute

Sedatives and narcotic pain medications also decrease the respiratory drive and can worsen sleep apnea.

However, loud snoring can be an indication of Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

“Patients generally report unrefreshing sleep and a strong urge to nap during the day.”

man laying on white pillow

Hence the choking and gasping.

You might not remember these episodes, but your bed partner likely will.

This is known as witnessed apneic spells.

A woman wearing a pink eye mask tries mouth taping to cure her sleep apnea.

There is nocure for sleep apnea.

A man places a sleep apnea CPAP machine mask on his face, a Tom�s Guide Sleep Week 2025 graphic (right)

A couple in adjustable smart bed with white bedsheets and raised head position to help sleep apnea

A woman wearing a red coat and white trousers walking along shoreline to help her sleep

A woman with dark hair lies in bed yawning because she is so tired and ready to sleep

A woman with hay fever wipes stuffy nose in bed

A woman is sat on the end of her bed with her head in her hands as she can�t sleep because of nighttime anxiety

A woman lies in bed with her hands covering her face, looking upset due to sleep deprivation. A Tom�s Guide Sleep Week 2025 graphic, bottom left

A woman with an afro sleeping on her side covered in grey duvet while she sweats in her sleep, thinking of a cooling mattress.

A woman with brown hair lies on her stomach on a grey colour Japanese floor mattress

A mattress we tested is dressed with neutral colour bed linens and pillows

Casper Wave Hybrid Snow review: woman lying on the mattress on her side, with her head on a pillow

Woman smiling while she sleeps with headphones in and her arms overhead

A person wearing rubber gloves uses a spray bottle and a clean cloth to clean the surface of the Emma Elite mattress.

Fire TV interface on the Fire TV Stick 4K (2nd gen)