When sleep silently impairs health
Sleep apnea , also known as obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), describes repeated pauses in breathing during sleep. It is widespread, especially among men over 40 who are overweight or engage in high levels of physical activity. However, the effects extend far beyond daytime sleepiness: sleep apnea affects testosterone, hormone balance, metabolism, cardiovascular health, and mental performance.
Because those affected often have no memory of the breathing pauses, sleep apnea frequently goes undetected, but with significant consequences.
What happens in sleep apnea?
During the night, the soft part of the throat regularly collapses, temporarily blocking the airways. This leads to:
- Breathing pauses (apneas) lasting longer than 10 seconds
- Oxygen drop in blood
- Obligatory brief awakening (arousal) to allow breathing to resume.
This constant interruption of sleep prevents deep sleep phases and activating regeneration: energy levels, hormone production and metabolism enter a profound state of stress.
Who is affected?
Sleep apnea is by no means a rare phenomenon, especially among men with:
- Overweight and high BMI
- Central fat (large waist circumference)
- Smoking history or high alcohol consumption
- Familial risk or genetic predisposition
- Testosterone deficiency, hormone therapy or metabolic syndrome
Men who are both overweight and snore have a significantly increased risk.
Typical symptoms
Many symptoms seem harmless or are mistaken for normal everyday stress:
- Loud, irregular snoring
- Sleep interruptions , often awake at night or breathing shallowly
- Morning headaches, sore throat
- Daytime fatigue, concentration problems, decreased performance
- Irritability, mood swings
- Loss of libido, erectile dysfunction
- High blood pressure, cardiac arrhythmias
What are the consequences of sleep apnea for the hormonal system?
In the long term, the effects extend far below the surface:
- Lowering of testosterone levels due to disrupted REM and deep sleep phases
- Chronically elevated cortisol levels , as constant awakenings promote stress.
- Impaired insulin sensitivity , increased risk of type 2 diabetes or fatty liver
- Elevated inflammatory markers (e.g., CRP)
- Increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and arteriosclerosis
The combination of hormonal imbalance, sleep deprivation and metabolic disorder can manifest as reduced quality of life, loss of libido and increased health vulnerability.
Diagnosis: How is sleep apnea diagnosed?
To accurately diagnose sleep apnea, the following steps are relevant:
- Medical history: Frequency of snoring, daytime sleepiness, partner feedback
- Screening score (e.g. STOP-Bang, Epworth Sleepiness Scale)
- Sleep measurement (polysomnography) or home sleep test
- Evaluation of apnea frequency (apnea-hypopnea index, AHI)
- Blood pressure, HRV, and hormone profile should also be examined, e.g., testosterone, cortisol, HbA1c.
An AHI above 15 (moderate to severe sleep apnea) usually requires the initiation of therapy.
What helps with sleep apnea?
Treatment depends on the severity of the condition and individual factors:
Lifestyle measures:
- Weight reduction (even 5–10% of body weight can be relieving)
- Abstinence from alcohol or smoking
- Change your sleeping position (e.g., on your side instead of your back)
- Regular exercise, healthy diet, stress reduction
Medical treatment:
- CPAP therapy (continuous positive pressure via mask)
- Dental splint for mild to moderate cases
- Structured breathing at night , breathing trainer or myofunctional training
Hormone supply:
- Close monitoring of sleep quality is necessary during testosterone therapy.
- Support through magnesium, omega-3, adaptogenic plant substances
Conclusion
Sleep apnea is not just a snoring problem , but a serious metabolic and stress disorder, especially in men with a focus on hormones, performance, or health. Stabilizing sleep quality can lead to noticeably more energy, cognitive clarity, and hormonal stability.
Early screening or sleep monitoring can enable preventative medicine. Changes are possible, with lasting effects on energy, hormone balance, and quality of life.
