Sleep Medicine Center
“Mrs. Lin Can't Sleep—But It’s Not Her Insomnia”
Over the past few years, Mrs. Lin's sleep has gotten worse—not because of her own insomnia, but because of her husband lying next to her.
"Do you know how loud he snores at night? I even recorded it and played it for him, but he insists he never woke up," Mrs. Lin said with a wry smile.
What worries her even more is that it’s not just snoring. On several occasions, she has woken up in the middle of the night to find her husband completely silent, as if he had stopped breathing. After several seconds, he suddenly gasps for air, rolls over, and continues sleeping. This scene repeats almost every night.
While searching online and consulting physician friends, Mrs. Lin discovered that the symptoms may point to Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). Yet her husband refused to believe it: “I’m just snoring—it’s not that serious.”
In fact, this is a common belief among many people with OSA...
What Is OSA? Understanding the Mechanism Behind Sleep Apnea
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is the most common type of sleep-related breathing disorder. It occurs when the upper airway collapses during sleep, causing airflow to stop (apnea) or decrease significantly (hypopnea). When this happens, oxygen levels drop, and the brain triggers an arousal reflex, shifting the sleeper from deep sleep to lighter stages or even momentary awakenings.
These interruptions can happen dozens or even hundreds of times per night. While the person may be unaware of waking up, they often feel extremely fatigued, mentally foggy, or experience headaches the next morning.
The Hidden Dangers: Long-Term Health Impacts of OSA
Beyond poor sleep quality, untreated OSA can lead to multiple chronic systemic diseases. Research has shown strong associations between OSA and:
Hypertension, particularly poorly controlled nighttime blood pressure. Many cases of resistant hypertension are linked to undiagnosed OSA.
Cardiovascular diseases, including arrhythmia, heart failure, and coronary artery disease.
Stroke, with OSA patients having a 2–3 times higher risk.
Type 2 diabetes, due to increased insulin resistance.
Metabolic syndrome, involving abdominal obesity, high blood pressure, elevated blood sugar, and abnormal cholesterol.
Cognitive decline and dementia, as chronic hypoxia and fragmented sleep may impair memory and concentration.
According to a joint statement by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) and the American Heart Association (AHA), OSA plays a significant role in cardiovascular prevention and chronic disease management. Early identification and treatment not only address snoring and fatigue but can also prevent a cascade of serious health problems.
What Is AHI? A Key Indicator for OSA Severity
The Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) measures the average number of apneas and hypopneas per hour of sleep. It is a crucial diagnostic tool and helps determine the severity of OSA:
Normal: AHI < 5/hour
Mild: AHI 5–14/hour
Moderate: AHI 15–29/hour
Severe: AHI ≥ 30/hour
Higher AHI values are strongly correlated with increased risk of hypertension, cardiovascular events, and stroke. Thus, AHI not only helps diagnose OSA but also guides treatment decisions.
How Is It Diagnosed? From Questionnaires to Clinical Testing
OSA diagnosis typically involves three steps: initial screening, formal testing, and severity assessment.
Step 1: Screening with the STOP-BANG Questionnaire
This widely used tool screens for OSA risk:
Snoring: Do you snore loudly?
Tired: Do you feel tired during the day?
Observed: Has anyone observed you stop breathing during sleep?
Pressure: Do you have high blood pressure?
BMI > 35?
Age > 50?
Neck circumference > 43 cm (men) or > 41 cm (women)?
Male gender?
A score of 3 or higher suggests an elevated risk and warrants further evaluation by a sleep specialist.
Step 2: Sleep Studies
There are two types of diagnostic tests:
Polysomnography (PSG): An overnight in-lab study that records brainwaves, breathing patterns, blood oxygen, and muscle activity. This test is covered by Taiwan’s National Health Insurance.
Home Sleep Test (HST): A self-paid option suitable for patients with clear symptoms or for inpatients needing quick evaluation. It provides preliminary data for diagnosis and treatment planning.
Our Sleep Medicine Center at Tingzhou Branch is equipped with advanced PSG devices and a multidisciplinary team offering one-stop service—from consultation and testing to report interpretation and personalized treatment plans.
What Are the Treatment Options? Personalized, Multidisciplinary Care
Treatment for OSA is highly individualized, based on the patient’s condition and lifestyle. Options include:
Orofacial and breathing exercises: For mild OSA or snoring, exercises to strengthen upper airway muscles (e.g., balloon blowing, tongue exercises) can reduce airway collapse.
Sleep hygiene and lifestyle changes: Regular sleep schedules, avoiding alcohol/sedatives, and not sleeping on the back can significantly improve symptoms.
Weight management: Obesity is a major risk factor. A 10% reduction in body weight can lower AHI by over 25%. Our hospital offers nutrition and metabolic consultations for long-term weight control.
Oral Appliance Therapy (OA): Custom-made by dental specialists, these devices advance the lower jaw and stabilize the tongue to keep the airway open—especially helpful for those with mild to moderate OSA or CPAP intolerance.
CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure): The gold standard for moderate to severe OSA. It maintains airway pressure to prevent collapse. Our Sleep Center provides trial fittings, device setup, and compliance monitoring to ensure treatment success.
With appropriate therapy, most patients experience relief from snoring, better sleep quality, improved alertness, and enhanced quality of life.
Want to Get Checked? Here's How to Begin
Simple Steps to Evaluate Your Sleep Health:
Initial assessment: Outpatient physician consultation and STOP-BANG screening.
Diagnostic testing: Choose PSG (covered by NHI) or HST (self-paid) based on your needs.
Result consultation: Sleep specialists explain results and propose tailored treatment.
Follow-up and treatment: Based on severity, options include exercises, OA, weight loss, or CPAP.
Contact & Appointment Info:
Phone: (02)2365-9055 ext. (Night) 15691 / (Day) 11406
Walk-in: Consult with Pulmonary Medicine or ENT outpatient services.
Inpatients: Can undergo HST evaluation during hospitalization for faster results.
Conclusion: Prioritize Sleep—Invest in Your Health
Sleep isn’t just rest—it’s vital for restoring and regulating bodily functions. When snoring, fatigue, or poor focus arise, don’t brush them off. These may be your body’s warning signs.
OSA is a treatable and diagnosable condition. The earlier it is addressed, the better the outcomes. Whether it’s you or a loved one experiencing symptoms, we welcome you to consult the Sleep Medicine Center at Tri-Service General Hospital. Our comprehensive team and facilities are here to help you reclaim truly restorative sleep.
Patient Testimonials: Real Stories, Real Impact
Mr. Chou, 52, Corporate Executive
"I just wanted to check my loud snoring—turns out I had OSA. After a few months of CPAP, I feel more energetic, and even my family noticed the difference."
Mrs. Li, 45, Office Worker
"I used to feel like a zombie every morning and needed afternoon naps. Now, I wake up refreshed and feel so much better emotionally."
Mr. Lin, 60, Retired Civil Servant
"It took a while to get used to CPAP, but after two weeks, I stopped feeling sleepy during the day and even my shortness of breath improved."
Quick Tip:
In addition to snoring and breathing pauses, common symptoms of OSA include:
Daytime sleepiness
Poor concentration
Morning headaches
Irritability
Frequent nighttime urination
Sudden gasping or chest tightness at night
Poor sleep quality
Some patients even doze off while driving, increasing the risk of accidents. These symptoms are often mistaken for stress, aging, or bad habits, leading to delayed diagnosis and treatment.