Sleep Apnea: Symptoms, Risks and Treatment
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a sleep-related breathing disorder: during sleep, the muscles of the throat relax and the upper airway narrows or closes completely – breathing repeatedly stops for ten seconds or longer. Left untreated, sleep apnea increases the risk of high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke. Mild to moderate forms can often be treated with a custom-made mandibular advancement splint – the core of the InterSleep treatment concept, provided by Dr. Michael Adler at the Swiss Dental Center at Hardbrücke in Zurich.
Take the first step: our free online test gives you an initial assessment of your risk in just a few minutes.
What happens in obstructive sleep apnea?
During sleep, all muscles relax – including those of the tongue, soft palate and throat. In people with sleep apnea, the slackened tissue collapses so far that it blocks the airway. The oxygen level in the blood falls and the body responds with an arousal reaction: for a fraction of a second the brain switches to “awake”, the muscles tighten and breathing starts again – often with a loud snoring sound.
These arousals usually go unnoticed, but they can repeat themselves dozens of times per hour. As a result, sleep loses its restorative function and the body is under stress night after night.
Symptoms: how do you recognise sleep apnea?
Many of those affected are unaware of their nocturnal breathing pauses – often it is their partner who notices first. Typical signs are:
At night
- Loud, irregular snoring
- Breathing pauses observed by others
- Waking up gasping for air or with a racing heart
- Needing to urinate frequently at night
- Heavy sweating during sleep
During the day
- Pronounced daytime sleepiness, microsleep (e.g. at the wheel)
- Problems with concentration and memory
- Morning headaches, dry mouth
- Irritability, lack of drive, low mood
- Declining performance and libido
Do several of these apply to you? Our online test gives you an initial assessment of your risk in just a few minutes.
Risk factors
Sleep apnea can affect anyone, but certain factors increase the risk: excess weight (the most important modifiable factor), male sex, age over 50, a receding lower jaw or other anatomical features of the jaw and throat, enlarged tonsils, obstructed nasal breathing, alcohol and sleeping pills in the evening, smoking, and sleeping on your back. In women, the risk also rises significantly after menopause.
Consequences: why sleep apnea must be treated
Sleep apnea can have serious effects:
- High blood pressure
- Cardiac arrhythmia
- Increased risk of heart attack
- Increased risk of stroke
- Microsleep while driving and at work
- Depression and listlessness
- Impaired sexuality
In short: quality of life is reduced and life expectancy can be shortened.
The airway in the throat is completely blocked. If the throat muscles and the tongue relax too much, they obstruct the airway – causing a temporary closure. The result is brief pauses in breathing.
The constant drops in oxygen and the arousal reactions put considerable strain on the cardiovascular system. In addition to the risks listed above, untreated sleep apnea also increases the risk of type 2 diabetes – and daytime sleepiness multiplies the risk of road accidents. Psychological consequences such as depression and strain on the relationship are also common.
The good news: sleep apnea is very treatable – and with treatment, the risks fall considerably.
Severity: what does the AHI mean?
The severity of sleep apnea is expressed as the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) – the number of breathing pauses and episodes of shallow breathing per hour of sleep:
| Severity | AHI (events/hour) |
|---|---|
| Normal | below 5 |
| Mild sleep apnea | 5 to 15 |
| Moderate sleep apnea | 15 to 30 |
| Severe sleep apnea | above 30 |
The severity is a key factor in choosing the right therapy.
Diagnosis: how sleep apnea is investigated in Switzerland
A suspected sleep apnea is usually investigated as follows: first, a consultation with a doctor (GP practice, pulmonology, ENT or sleep medicine). This is usually followed by respiratory polygraphy – an overnight measurement at home with a small device that records breathing, oxygen saturation, pulse and snoring sounds. In unclear or complex cases, a polysomnography in a sleep laboratory is carried out.
Within the InterSleep treatment concept we work closely with sleep physicians, pulmonologists and ENT specialists in Zurich – simply bring any existing findings (e.g. a polygraphy report) with you to your first dental consultation.
Treatment: these therapies are available
CPAP therapy
Positive airway pressure delivered through a nasal or full-face mask is considered the standard therapy, especially for severe sleep apnea. It is very effective – but not everyone tolerates it in the long term.
→ Detailed comparison: snoring splint or CPAP?
Mandibular advancement splint
For mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea, a custom-made mandibular advancement splint is a guideline-based alternative – as it is for people who cannot tolerate CPAP therapy. The splint holds the lower jaw slightly forward during sleep, keeping the airway open.
Other approaches
Weight loss, avoiding alcohol in the evening, positional therapy (avoiding sleeping on your back) and, in selected cases, surgery can complement treatment.
Which therapy is right is always an individual decision – based on severity, anatomy, accompanying conditions and your preferences, coordinated between sleep medicine and dental sleep medicine.
Treating sleep apnea in Zurich – with the InterSleep treatment concept
InterSleep is a treatment concept for dental sleep medicine: Dr. Michael Adler treats patients with custom-made mandibular advancement splints – following the guidelines of the Swiss Society for Sleep Research, Sleep Medicine and Chronobiology (SSSSC) and the DGSM, in close cooperation with your treating physicians. Treatment takes place at the Swiss Dental Center at Hardbrücke in Zurich.
Frequently asked questions about sleep apnea
Is snoring the same as sleep apnea?
No. In primary snoring, the oxygen supply remains normal – the main problem is the noise. In obstructive sleep apnea there are also pauses in breathing, with drops in oxygen and arousal reactions. Loud, irregular snoring with breathing pauses is a warning sign and should be investigated.
How dangerous is untreated sleep apnea?
Left untreated, it increases the risk of high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke and diabetes, and daytime sleepiness multiplies the risk of accidents. An assessment is therefore worthwhile as soon as there is reasonable suspicion.
Does a dental splint really help against sleep apnea?
For mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea, the effectiveness of custom-made mandibular advancement splints is well documented scientifically; they are established as a treatment option in the clinical guidelines. For severe sleep apnea, CPAP therapy is usually the first choice.
How do I find out whether I have sleep apnea?
A first step is our free online test on intersleep.ch. If your risk is elevated, a medical assessment follows with an overnight measurement (polygraphy) – usually done comfortably at home.
What does treatment with a splint cost – and does health insurance pay?
A custom-made mandibular advancement splint costs CHF 1,500 to 2,700 depending on the system, including fitting. If it has been prescribed by a medical professional, the costs are usually covered in full by mandatory basic health insurance – provided you have mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, or if you have severe sleep apnea and cannot tolerate the CPAP therapy that would normally be indicated. We are happy to advise you on the process.
Author: Michael Adler, DMD, MSc – dentist specialising in dental sleep medicine · Last updated: July 2026
Based on the guidelines of the SSSSC and DGSM for dental sleep medicine.