Sleep serves as active maintenance time for the brain: neural networks adjust, memory traces are organized, and the body shifts into a state of recovery. This maintenance requires, above all, sufficiently high-quality - meaning continuous - sleep.

 In sleep apnea, precisely this continuity is broken. Consequently, sleep quality deteriorates, and the “night shift” fails to restore the brain and body for a new, active day.

The stereotype of a sleep apnea patient is often an overweight, loudly snoring middle-aged man. This is only part of the truth, as sleep apnea also occurs in slim individuals. In these cases, the underlying cause may be anatomical: a narrow pharynx, a small lower jaw, nasal congestion, or large tonsils. 

Sleep apnea in women also frequently goes unrecognized because the symptom profile can differ from the typical presentation. Women may experience insomnia, alertness issues, unexplained fatigue, or low mood. Therefore, loud snoring is not necessarily a dominant symptom.