What is sleep disordered breathing and how is it treated?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Sleep disordered breathing (SDB) refers to a group of conditions marked by abnormal breathing patterns during sleep, including snoring, shallow breathing, or pauses in breathing (apnea). Common types include obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea, and upper airway resistance syndrome.

Treatment options depend on severity and cause, and may include:

Lifestyle changes: weight loss, sleeping on your side, avoiding alcohol before bed
Breathing devices: CPAP, BiPAP, or oral appliances
Surgery: to remove airway obstructions in select cases

Left untreated, SDB can raise your risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and daytime fatigue. If you're experiencing symptoms like loud snoring, morning headaches, or excessive daytime sleepiness, understanding the cause is the critical first step. Take a free, instant, online symptom check to explore what may be behind your symptoms and get clear guidance on your next steps.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/14/2026

Important Next Steps

Understand what’s causing sleep-disordered breathing Discover if your breathing problems need care Find out if it could be sleep apnea See OTC options for sleep-related symptoms Find a doctor for sleep-disordered breathing Learn home remedies for sleep-disordered breathing Learn if symptoms suggest a serious sleep issue

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Explanation

Sleep disordered breathing is a condition where a person has trouble breathing during sleep. This can include loud snoring or pauses in breathing, which are common signs of a condition called sleep apnea. These breathing problems can make it hard to get a good night's sleep and can affect how you feel during the day.

Treatment Options:

Lifestyle Changes:

Losing weight if needed
Sleeping on your side
Avoiding alcohol and smoking

Devices:

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP): A mask worn over the nose or mouth that helps keep airways open.
Oral Appliances: Devices worn in the mouth to help keep the throat open.

Surgery:

Sometimes surgery is needed to remove tissue blocking the airway or to fix other problems in the nose or throat.

These treatments can help improve sleep quality and reduce symptoms. If you think you might have sleep disordered breathing, you can start by using a free symptom checker to better understand your symptoms, and then talk to a healthcare professional for advice and possible testing.

(References)

Foldvary-Schaefer NR, & Waters TE. (2017). Sleep-Disordered Breathing. Continuum (Minneapolis, Minn.), 28777178.
Panossian L, & Daley J. (2013). Sleep-disordered breathing. Continuum (Minneapolis, Minn.), 23385696.
Mohammadieh A, Sutherland K, & Cistulli PA. (2017). Sleep disordered breathing: management update. Internal medicine journal, 29105265.

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