Can sleep apnea occur together with REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD)?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Yes, sleep apnea and REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD) can occur together. Research shows many people with RBD also experience obstructive sleep apnea, a condition that disrupts breathing during sleep. When these disorders overlap, they can worsen sleep quality, increase daytime fatigue, and complicate diagnosis. Symptoms may include acting out dreams, loud snoring, gasping for air, or waking unrefreshed. Because both conditions share overlapping signs and can point to underlying neurological or cardiovascular concerns, identifying them early matters. If you're noticing unusual sleep behaviors or breathing issues, don't guess—take a free, instant, online symptom check to better understand your symptoms and confidently plan your next steps.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/20/2026

Important Next Steps

Discover if sleep behaviors need care today Learn likely causes of unusual sleep movements Find out if it could be sleep apnea See OTC options for sleep-related symptoms Find a sleep specialist near you Understand home remedies for sleep disturbances Check if nighttime behaviors need urgent care

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Explanation

Sleep apnea and REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD) can happen at the same time. Sleep apnea is when a person stops breathing for short periods while sleeping. RBD is when people act out their dreams because their muscles don't relax during REM sleep.

Connection Between RBD and Sleep Apnea:
- People with RBD often have sleep apnea too. This means they might stop breathing while they are acting out their dreams.
Research Findings:
- One study found that many people with RBD also have sleep apnea. This suggests a link between the two conditions.
- Another study mentioned a 'benefit' where the lack of muscle relaxation in RBD might actually help some people breathe better during REM sleep.
Impact on Health:
- Having both conditions can affect sleep quality and overall health.
- It's important for people with RBD to be checked for sleep apnea too.

Understanding these connections can help in managing both conditions better. If you have concerns about sleep issues, you can check your symptoms to better understand what might be affecting your rest before talking to a healthcare provider.

(References)

Gabryelska A, Roguski A, Simpson G, Maschauer EL, Morrison I, & Riha RL. (2018). Prevalence of obstructive sleep apnoea in REM behaviour .... Sleep & breathing = Schlaf & Atmung, 28951996.
Giardino DL, Fasano P, & Garay A. (2021). The "respiratory REM sleep without atonia benefit" on .... Sleep science (Sao Paulo, Brazil), 34381583.
Vorderwülbecke BJ, Lehmann R, & Breuer E. (2020). Sleep-Disordered Breathing in REM Sleep Behavior .... Journal of Parkinson's disease, 32390642.

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