4 Common Misconceptions About Sleep Apnea

If someone says "sleep apnea," what is the first thing that pops into your head?  

Most people think of a condition characterized by loud snoring, poor sleep and is thought to be found only in obese men. However, that is not always the case, as sleep apnea can affect anyone at any point in their life. That being said, sleep apnea is a very misunderstood condition. So let’s look at my top 4 misconceptions of living with sleep apnea.

1. Sleep apnea is only found in adults

FALSE – Research shows that as many as 10 to 20 percent of children who are known to snore have sleep apnea, compared to only 3 percent of children overall.¹

Research completed by Dr. Craig Canapari, a pediatrician at Yale-New Haven Children’s Hospital in New Haven, Connecticut, finds that about one-third of children who are obese will develop obstructive sleep apnea compared to only 2 to 4 percent of non-obese children.^2,3

2. Sleep apnea is only found in people who are obese

FALSE – According to the Los Angeles Sleep Study Institute, being overweight does, in fact, raise the risk of developing obstructive sleep apnea. But not necessarily because of the overall weight. The risk increases for those with a thicker neck, small jaw, swollen or large tonsils because the excess fatty tissue in the back of the throat may collapse, blocking the airway.⁴

That being said, even an extremely fit athlete who has a larger neck has the potential to develop sleep apnea. A small, thin person can also develop sleep apnea if they have any anatomical abnormalities of the jaw, tongue, and/or soft palate, tonsils, adenoids, or septum.

3. If you snore you have sleep apnea

FALSE – Snoring and sleep apnea are often linked, but they are not one and the same. You can snore and not have sleep apnea. Or you can have sleep apnea and not snore. One question your doctor may ask you about your sleep and your snoring is if you wake up rested in the morning. 

Those who have sleep apnea often wake up feeling exhausted. This is likely due to the fact that their sleep is often interrupted due to changes in their breathing. If you wake up feeling rested and refreshed after a night of snoring, you quite possibly may not have sleep apnea. But if you are snoring, you should contact your doctor so it can be addressed.

4. Only men have sleep apnea

FALSE – Sleep apnea can impact ANYONE. It is estimated that nearly 100 million people across the world live with sleep apnea. 3 to 7 percent of men and 2 to 5 percent of women have sleep apnea.^5,6 However, sleep apnea in women often goes undiagnosed.

This may be partially due to the fact that women don’t want to discuss snoring with their healthcare providers. As well as the fact that women’s snoring many times goes unnoticed by their partners because their snoring is often quieter.

Sleep apnea may also potentially go undiagnosed in women because they may present to their provider with different symptoms. They may report things like having a headache when they wake up, insomnia, lack of energy, or mood disturbances, making a firm diagnosis more difficult.

Talk to your doctor

In the end, it is important to remember that just like any other health condition, you may not have the same symptoms as someone else. If you are waking up exhausted, snoring, or having any problems with your sleep, it is important that you discuss these issues with your provider.