Can You Have Sleep Apnea Without Snoring?
Getting a good night’s sleep is essential for your overall health and well-being, but sleep disorders like obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can make restorative sleep elusive. If you’re struggling with snoring, interrupted breathing, or daytime fatigue, an oral appliance might be the solution you need.
What Are Oral Appliances?
Oral appliances are custom-made devices worn in the mouth during sleep. They gently adjust the position of your jaw and tongue to keep your airway open, preventing the blockages that cause snoring and apnea events¹.
Benefits of Oral Appliances for Sleep
- Improved Breathing
By keeping your airway unobstructed, oral appliances allow you to breathe freely throughout the night. - Quiet Nights
Reducing snoring benefits not just you, but also anyone sharing your sleeping space. - Better Sleep Quality
With fewer interruptions in breathing, you can spend more time in restorative sleep stages, leaving you refreshed and energized. - Convenience and Comfort
Oral appliances are lightweight, portable, and easier to use than other options like CPAP machines, making them a great solution for many patients. - Reduced Health Risks
Treating sleep apnea can lower your risk of serious health issues, including heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure.
Can You Have Sleep Apnea Without Snoring?
Yes, it is entirely possible to have sleep apnea without snoring³. While snoring is a key symptom of obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea often occurs without snoring because it stems from a miscommunication between the brain and the breathing muscles rather than a physical obstruction in the airway.
Additionally, in some cases of obstructive sleep apnea, the airway can collapse completely, preventing airflow and eliminating the sound of snoring. This makes silent sleep apnea more challenging to detect.
Symptoms of Silent Sleep Apnea
Without the telltale sign of snoring, detecting silent sleep apnea requires paying attention to other symptoms, such as:
- Morning Headaches – A sign of oxygen deprivation during sleep.
- Excessive Daytime Sleepiness – Persistent fatigue despite getting a full night’s sleep.
- Difficulty Concentrating – Cognitive impairments such as brain fog, forgetfulness, and trouble focusing.
- Mood Changes – Increased irritability, anxiety, or depression.
- Waking Up Gasping or Choking – A sudden jolt awake with shortness of breath.
- High Blood Pressure – Poor oxygen levels strain the heart and vascular system.
- Frequent Nighttime Awakenings – Unexplained disruptions in sleep without an obvious cause.
Who Is at Risk for Silent Sleep Apnea?
Certain factors increase the likelihood of developing sleep apnea, even without snoring. These include:
- Obesity – Excess weight increases fat deposits around the airway, restricting airflow.
- Neck Circumference – A thicker neck may have a narrower airway, leading to obstructions.
- Age & Gender – Sleep apnea is more common in men and older adults.
- Family History – Genetics can influence airway structure and breathing control.
- Alcohol & Sedative Use – These substances relax throat muscles, increasing airway collapse risk.
- Nasal Congestion – Chronic nasal congestion can contribute to breathing difficulties.
- Underlying Medical Conditions – Conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and neurological disorders increase the risk.
Diagnosing Silent Sleep Apnea
Since snoring isn’t always present, diagnosing silent sleep apnea requires a thorough evaluation. Healthcare providers use different methods, including:
1. Sleep Studies (Polysomnography)
A comprehensive overnight study performed in a sleep clinic where brain activity, breathing patterns, and oxygen levels are monitored.
2. Home Sleep Apnea Test (HSAT)
A convenient at-home alternative where patients wear a small device that records breathing, heart rate, and oxygen levels during sleep.
3. Sleep Questionnaires & Symptom Evaluation
Tools like the Epworth Sleepiness Scale assess daytime sleepiness, while physical exams check for risk factors such as airway abnormalities.
Treatment Options for Silent Sleep Apnea
Just like traditional sleep apnea, silent sleep apnea requires treatment to improve sleep quality and reduce health risks. Common treatments include:
1. Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) Therapy
- A CPAP machine provides a continuous flow of air through a mask to keep the airway open.
- This is the most effective treatment for moderate to severe sleep apnea.
2. Oral Appliances
- Mouthguards designed to reposition the jaw and tongue, keeping the airway open¹.
- A good alternative for those who find CPAP therapy uncomfortable.
3. Positional Therapy
- Encourages sleeping on the side rather than the back to reduce airway blockages.
4. Weight Loss & Lifestyle Changes
- Losing weight can significantly improve or eliminate sleep apnea symptoms.
- Avoiding alcohol and sedatives before bedtime helps prevent airway relaxation.
5. Surgery
- In cases where anatomical abnormalities contribute to sleep apnea, procedures such as nasal surgery or tonsillectomy may be recommended.
Health Risks of Untreated Sleep Apnea
Untreated sleep apnea—whether or not it involves snoring—can have serious long-term effects on overall health, including²:
- Heart Disease and Hypertension – Repeated drops in oxygen can stress the heart and raise blood pressure.
- Stroke and Arrhythmia – Irregular heartbeats and blood-flow disruptions increase risk.
- Daytime Fatigue and Cognitive Decline – Poor sleep quality affects focus, memory, and mood.
Seeking Professional Help: Complete Health Dentistry of SoCal
If you suspect you have silent sleep apnea, seeking professional help is crucial. Complete Health Dentistry of SoCal offers expert diagnosis and customized sleep apnea & snoring treatments to improve your sleep and overall health. Their team provides advanced sleep studies, CPAP alternatives, and oral appliance therapy for a better night’s rest.
For more details on sleep apnea treatment options, visi tComplete Health Dentistry of SoCal and schedule a consultation today.
Don’t Ignore Silent Sleep Apnea
Even if you don’t snore, sleep apnea could still be affecting your health. If you experience unexplained fatigue, difficulty concentrating, or morning headaches, consider consulting a sleep specialist. Early diagnosis and treatment can greatly improve sleep quality and overall well-being.
For personalized treatment, contact a sleep apnea specialist near you and explore options that best fit your needs.
Sources
- American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine. Oral Appliance Therapy for Sleep Apnea.
https://www.aadsm.org/oral_appliance_therapy.php
- Mayo Clinic. Sleep Apnea: Symptoms and Causes. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sleep-apnea
- Sleep Foundation. Sleep Apnea Without Snoring. https://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleep-apnea/sleep-apnea-without-snoring
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the symptoms of silent sleep apnea?
Silent sleep apnea may not include snoring, but other telltale signs to watch for include:
- Morning headaches (often due to low oxygen during the night)
- Excessive daytime sleepiness or fatigue (even after “full nights” of sleep)
- Difficulty concentrating, memory problems, “brain fog”
- Mood changes: irritability, anxiety or depression
- Waking up gasping or choking, or feeling breathless during the night
- Frequent nighttime awakenings without obvious cause
- High blood pressure (or worsening hypertension)
Because there is no loud snoring in many cases of silent sleep apnea, these subtler symptoms are especially important for detection.
How can I test myself for sleep apnea (at home)?
While a definitive diagnosis requires medical testing, there are several ways to screen or self-assess before seeing a professional:
- Sleep questionnaires / scales
The Epworth Sleepiness Scale asks how likely you are to doze in various daily situations; higher scores may indicate excessive sleepiness consistent with sleep apnea.
- Sleep tracking devices / apps / wearables
Some smartwatches, fitness trackers, or phone apps monitor breathing, sleep interruptions, oxygen levels, or snoring patterns. Though not diagnostic, they can flag concerning trends.
Recordings (audio or video) of your sleep may reveal gasps, choking sounds, or breathing pauses.
- Home Sleep Apnea Test (HSAT)
This is a simplified diagnostic test you wear at home overnight. It records breathing, oxygen saturation, and heart rate.
Its limitations: it cannot monitor brain activity or diagnose non-breathing-related sleep disorders.
If the results are inconclusive or if you have other health issues, a full in-lab (polysomnography) sleep study may be recommended.
Important note: These self-tests or screening tools are not a substitute for professional evaluation. If your results or symptoms raise concerns, see a sleep specialist for formal testing.
What is the best position for sleeping if I have sleep apnea?
The “best” sleep position is typically one that keeps your airway as open as possible and avoids collapse of soft tissues in the throat. The general recommendations are:
- Side sleeping is considered the most favorable position for most people with obstructive or central sleep apnea. It helps reduce airway obstruction and snoring.
- Back sleeping (supine) is usually the worst position because gravity can pull the tongue and throat tissues backward, worsening obstruction.
- Stomach sleeping may help in some cases by reducing airway collapse, but it is less ideal for those using CPAP (it may displace masks/leak air) and can strain the neck or spine.
- Additionally, head elevation or using a wedge pillow can improve airway patency and reduce breathing interruptions, especially in back sleepers or for mild cases.
So, encouraging side sleeping (and avoiding back sleeping) is often a helpful positional therapy strategy for many patients.
What are the warning signs of sleep apnea?
Warning signs (or red flags) are the symptoms and indicators that suggest you might have sleep apnea and should seek evaluation. Key warning signs include:
- Loud, frequent snoring (in cases where snoring is present)
- Pauses in breathing, gasping, choking during sleep (often reported by a bed partner)
- Excessive daytime sleepiness, despite what seems like adequate sleep time
- Unrefreshing sleep or frequent nighttime awakenings
- Morning headaches
- Difficulty concentrating, memory issues, poor mental clarity
- Mood changes, irritability, depression, or anxiety
- Elevated blood pressure or worsening hypertension
- Increased daytime drowsiness, falling asleep in passive situations (e.g. watching TV, reading, in traffic)
- Observed restless or disturbed sleep, frequent tossing & turning, waking up gasping
If you (or someone close to you) observe one or more of these warning signs, especially in combination, it is wise to consult a sleep specialist for evaluation.
