Why Thousands in India Live with Undiagnosed Sleep Apnea – And Don’t Even Know It

Most people in India who have sleep apnea don’t even know they have it. That’s the problem. They wake up tired, feel foggy all day, and think it’s just normal stress or a bad routine. But it’s not.

What is sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder.  During sleep, your breathing frequently stops and begins. This means your body doesn’t get enough oxygen. It mostly happens without you knowing.

The most common type is obstructive sleep apnea. It happens when your airway gets blocked while sleeping. Your throat muscles relax too much, and you stop breathing for a few seconds or more. At night, this may occur hundreds or even dozens of times.

Why people don’t know they have it

Because it happens when you’re asleep. You don’t notice the gasping. You don’t hear the loud snoring. And if you sleep alone, no one else hears it either.

Most people don’t go to a sleep clinic or see a sleep specialist unless things get really bad. By that time, they’re already dealing with fatigue, poor concentration, high blood pressure, or even diabetes.

Doctors often misdiagnose it too. They treat the tiredness, not the cause. Or they say it’s anxiety, stress, or insomnia. But the real issue—sleep apnea—stays hidden.

Common signs most people ignore

Loud snoring (especially with pauses)

Waking up with a dry mouth or headache

Feeling tired even after 7–8 hours of sleep

Waking up gasping for air

Trouble staying focused during the day

Mood swings or irritability

Most people just live with these. They blame work, screens, or age. But these are early signs of a serious sleep disorder.

Who is at risk?

You don’t need to be old or overweight. That’s a myth.

Yes, people with a high BMI or large neck size have a higher risk. But young adults, thin people, and even children can have undiagnosed sleep apnea.

It’s more common in men, but women often go undiagnosed because their symptoms look different. They may not snore. They may just feel anxious, tired, or have headaches. And that gets misread as depression or hormonal issues.

Why India has so many undiagnosed cases

In India, sleep health is often ignored. People don’t talk about sleep disorders the way they talk about diabetes or heart problems.

Also, many people don’t know that sleep apnea tests even exist. A simple sleep study—done at home or in a sleep lab—can show if you have it.

Some avoid getting tested because they think it’ll be expensive or uncomfortable. But that’s changing now. Many sleep clinics in Delhi and other cities offer affordable and easy options.

What happens if you ignore it?

Sleep apnea doesn’t go away on its own.

If left untreated, it can lead to:

High blood pressure

Heart disease

Stroke

Type 2 diabetes

Memory loss

Poor performance at work or school

It can even increase the risk of accidents, because of daytime sleepiness.

What you can do

If you feel tired all the time, or someone says you snore loudly, don’t ignore it.

Start by talking to a sleep doctor near you. Ask about a sleep apnea test. You might need a home sleep test or a full sleep study in a clinic.

Treatment is simple. Many people use a CPAP machine, which helps keep your airway open while you sleep. Others may benefit from weight loss, dental devices, or lifestyle changes.

Final thought:

Sleep apnea is common. But it’s often invisible. That’s why thousands in India live with it and don’t know. A simple test can change that. Don’t wait until it gets worse. If you feel something is wrong with your sleep, trust that feeling. Get it checked.