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Sleep apnea and sleep disorders

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a condition in which the throat repeatedly narrows or closes during sleep, so breathing stops for a few seconds many times a night. It causes loud snoring, poor sleep and daytime sleepiness, and it raises the risk of high blood pressure, heart rhythm problems, diabetes and road accidents. At Medcare in Bongaigaon, Dr. Tamoghna Das, who holds a Diploma in Obstructive Sleep Apnea, tests for sleep apnea and other sleep problems and plans treatment.

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At a glance

  • Common signs: loud snoring, pauses in breathing seen by a partner, choking or gasping at night, daytime sleepiness, morning headache
  • Higher risk: extra weight, a thick neck, high BP that is hard to control, diabetes, older age, men, and women after menopause
  • Main test: a sleep study that records breathing and oxygen overnight
  • Main treatments: weight loss, sleep position, a CPAP machine that keeps the airway open, and treatment of nose or throat problems
  • At Medcare: consultation, sleep study, report reading, treatment plan and follow-up

Why sleep apnea matters

Every pause in breathing lowers oxygen and jolts the body awake for a moment. This happens dozens or even hundreds of times a night without you knowing. Over time it:

  • Raises blood pressure, often in a way that resists medicines
  • Increases the risk of atrial fibrillation, heart failure and stroke
  • Makes sugar harder to control
  • Causes tiredness, poor concentration and low mood
  • Raises the chance of accidents while driving or working with machines

Other sleep problems we look at

  • Difficulty falling or staying asleep (insomnia)
  • Restless legs at night
  • Shift-work sleep problems
  • Sleepiness due to medicines, thyroid problems or anaemia

What happens at Medcare

  1. Sleep history. Your snoring, sleep times, daytime sleepiness, and what your partner has noticed. A short questionnaire helps score your risk.
  2. Examination. Weight, neck size, BP, nose and throat.
  3. Sleep study. Sensors record breathing, oxygen level, pulse and body position through one night.
  4. Results. Dr. Das explains how many breathing pauses you have per hour and how severe the sleep apnea is.
  5. Treatment plan. Depending on severity: weight loss, avoiding sleeping on your back, avoiding alcohol and sleeping pills at night, treatment of a blocked nose, CPAP, or referral for a dental device or surgery opinion.
  6. Follow-up. Checking that treatment improves sleep, BP and daytime energy.
  1. Sleep history. Your snoring, sleep times, daytime sleepiness, and what your partner has noticed. A short questionnaire helps score your risk.
  2. Examination. Weight, neck size, BP, nose and throat.
  3. Sleep study. Sensors record breathing, oxygen level, pulse and body position through one night.
  4. Results. Dr. Das explains how many breathing pauses you have per hour and how severe the sleep apnea is.
  5. Treatment plan. Depending on severity: weight loss, avoiding sleeping on your back, avoiding alcohol and sleeping pills at night, treatment of a blocked nose, CPAP, or referral for a dental device or surgery opinion.
  6. Follow-up. Checking that treatment improves sleep, BP and daytime energy.

FAQs

Is loud snoring always sleep apnea?

No. Many people snore without sleep apnea. But loud snoring with pauses in breathing, gasping, or feeling sleepy during the day suggests sleep apnea and should be checked. A sleep study gives the answer.

What is a CPAP machine?

CPAP stands for continuous positive airway pressure. A small machine blows gentle air through a mask while you sleep, keeping the throat open. It is the most effective treatment for moderate and severe sleep apnea. Most people sleep better and feel more alert within weeks.

Can losing weight get rid of sleep apnea?

Losing weight often reduces sleep apnea, and in some people it improves a lot. It does not always remove it completely, especially when the airway is naturally narrow. A repeat sleep study after significant weight loss shows whether treatment can be reduced.

Can sleep apnea cause high BP?

Yes. Repeated drops in oxygen at night raise BP, and sleep apnea is one of the most common causes of BP that stays high despite several medicines. Treating sleep apnea can help lower BP.

Should I take sleeping pills for poor sleep?

Not without a doctor's advice. Sleeping pills and alcohol relax the throat muscles and can make sleep apnea worse. If you sleep poorly, Dr. Das will look for the cause first.

Is it safe to drive if I have sleep apnea?

If you feel sleepy during the day, avoid driving until you are treated. Untreated sleep apnea raises the risk of road accidents. With effective treatment, most people can drive safely again.

Sources

  • American Academy of Sleep Medicine, clinical practice guidelines for obstructive sleep apnea
  • Indian Initiative on Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (INOSA) guidelines

Related care

High blood pressureConfirm, treat and track BP, including 24-hour monitoringObesity and weight managementA medical plan for weight, with tests and follow-upAsthma and COPDBreathing tests and inhaler plans that work

From the Health Library

Loud Snoring and Daytime Sleepiness: Is It Sleep Apnea?

Medically reviewed by Dr. Tamoghna Das, MBBS, MD (Medicine) · Assam Council of Medical Registration No. 20276 · Last reviewed 3 October 2026

Book a visit with Dr. Tamoghna Das

Call 60031 21297 or send a WhatsApp message. We confirm your time within 30 to 60 minutes during clinic hours.

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