By You spend eight hours in bed and still wake up tired. By mid-afternoon, you are fighting to keep your eyes open. Your partner mentions silent gaps in your snoring. For many adults, this pattern points to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Looking for a sleep apnea doctor in Dubai? This page covers the basics: what OSA is, how it affects your health and which treatments exist.
OSA starts in the nose and throat, the parts an ENT surgeon examines every day. Dr. Muhammad Jabbr is a Consultant ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon at Medcare Hospital Al Safa. For adults who want a clear plan that fits their life, he is one of the best sleep apnea doctors in Dubai to see.
What happens in your airway during obstructive sleep apnea?
Your throat is a soft tube with no bone to hold it open. During sleep, the muscles around it relax. In OSA, the soft tissues fall inwards and block the airway, partly or fully, many times a night.
A full block is called an apnea. A partial block, where breathing turns very shallow, is a hypopnea. In adults, each event lasts at least 10 seconds. Your oxygen level may fall, and your brain stirs you briefly so you breathe again. You rarely remember this, but your sleep is broken up.
A rarer type, central sleep apnea, happens when the brain does not send the signal to breathe. It needs a different work-up and is not covered here.
What are the main signs of sleep apnea?
Many people do not know they have OSA. A bed partner often notices the signs first.
At night
- Loud, regular snoring, often worse on your back
- Pauses in breathing that someone else sees
- Choking or gasping that wakes you up
- Restless sleep and frequent turning
- Waking more than once to pass urine
During the day
- Feeling sleepy, even after 7 or 8 hours in bed
- A dry mouth or headache on waking
- Poor focus and memory
- Feeling irritable or down
- Dozing off while reading, watching TV or sitting in traffic
You do not need to have every sign. Each one is covered in more detail on our page about sleep apnea symptoms.
What happens if sleep apnea is not treated?
Each pause puts a short strain on your heart and blood vessels. Over the years, this can add up. Research links untreated moderate to severe OSA with a higher risk of:
- High blood pressure. Drops in oxygen trigger surges of stress hormones. Blood pressure may stay high and be harder to control with medicines.
- Heart problems. These include an irregular heartbeat called atrial fibrillation, heart failure and coronary heart disease.
- Stroke. The risk appears higher when severe OSA is left untreated.
- Type 2 diabetes. Broken sleep can affect how your body handles sugar.
- Mood and memory. Low mood, anxiety and poor focus can be part of the picture.
These links come from studies of large groups. They do not mean you will develop these problems. Regular treatment usually eases daytime sleepiness and may help blood pressure.
Why is daytime sleepiness risky at work and on the road?
Some people with OSA have "micro-sleeps", lapses of a few seconds that they do not notice. On Sheikh Zayed Road, a few seconds is enough to cause a crash. People with untreated OSA have more road accidents, and treatment can lower this risk. Jobs with machinery, heights or long shifts carry the same danger. If you feel very drowsy at the wheel, pull over somewhere safe and get checked before you drive again.
What causes sleep apnea, and who is at risk?
OSA happens when the airway is narrow, floppy, or both. It can affect anyone, including slim people and women. Common risk factors include:
- Extra weight, especially around the neck
- A blocked nose from a deviated septum, swollen turbinates, allergies or polyps. This can make OSA worse, though it is rarely the only cause.
- Big tonsils, or a long palate and uvula
- A small or set-back lower jaw, or a large tongue
- Age, as throat muscles lose tone
- Being male, though risk in women rises after menopause
- Alcohol and sleeping pills in the evening, which relax the throat further
- Smoking, which can swell the airway lining
- Family history of sleep apnea
Often more than one factor is at play. Read more in our guide to the causes of sleep apnea.
Do you need a test to confirm it?
Yes. Symptoms can point to OSA, but only a sleep test can confirm it and show how severe it is. An ENT visit starts with your story and a check of your nose and throat. Then you agree on the right sleep test. See our page on sleep apnea evaluation and diagnosis.
What are the treatment options for sleep apnea?
No single treatment suits everyone. The plan depends on how severe your OSA is, where your airway narrows and what you can manage each night. Many people combine two or more.
Everyday changes
Losing even some weight may reduce the number of events. Less alcohol in the evening, stopping smoking and sleeping on your side may also help. In mild OSA, these steps alone can make a real difference.
CPAP
CPAP is a bedside machine that blows air through a mask to hold your airway open. For moderate and severe OSA, it is often the first choice. It works well, but only on the nights you use it. Read more about CPAP therapy.
Mouth devices and position aids
Some people cannot get on with CPAP. A custom mouthpiece, usually made by a dentist, holds the lower jaw forward at night and can suit milder cases. If your apnea is worse on your back, a device that keeps you on your side may help. See CPAP alternatives.
Nose and throat treatment
If a blocked nose, big tonsils or a crowded throat is part of the problem, an ENT procedure may help. Sometimes surgery is done to make CPAP easier to wear, not to replace it. Your options are on our snoring and sleep apnea surgery page. No operation can promise a cure, so any decision should follow a careful assessment.
Why an ENT surgeon makes a good sleep apnea doctor in Dubai
OSA happens in the nose, palate, tonsils and tongue base. An ENT check looks at all of them and shows which ones matter for you. Dr. Muhammad Jabbr is a Consultant ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon:
- ENT Department, Medcare Hospital, Al Safa (Hadiqa Street, Al Safa 1)
- MD, MS, DOHNS (England), European Board ORL-HNS and Arab Board ORL-HNS
- More than 20 years of experience and more than 3,000 ENT procedures
- Sees both adults and children
- A 4.9 Google rating from 406 reviews
A good assessment weighs options with and without surgery, and is honest when an operation is not a good fit. Some people also need a sleep physician or a cardiologist. If you have heart problems, ask about this at your visit.
Red flags: when to get seen sooner
Ask for a prompt appointment, not a routine one, if you:
- Have fallen asleep at the wheel or had a near miss
- Feel so sleepy that it affects your safety at work
- Have blood pressure that stays very high despite medicines
Chest pain, sudden shortness of breath, fainting or a very fast, irregular heartbeat need emergency care. Call 998 at once or get to a hospital emergency room.
Book an appointment
Think you may have sleep apnea? Arrange a consultation to have your airway checked. You can book online with Dr. Muhammad Jabbr or call +971 52 751 7811. If your partner can come too, they can describe what happens while you sleep.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can slim people get sleep apnea?
Yes. Weight is a big factor, but not the only one. A small jaw, big tonsils or a narrow throat can cause OSA in people of normal weight.
Is sleep apnea a risk if I need an operation?
It can be. Anaesthesia, sedatives and strong pain medicines relax the airway further. Always tell your surgeon and anaesthetist that you have OSA, or think you might. If you use CPAP, take your machine to hospital.
Can sleep apnea go away by itself?
It rarely goes away on its own. Weight loss may improve it and, in some milder cases, settle it. Most people need ongoing treatment to keep it under control.
Do women get sleep apnea too?
Yes, although it is often missed. Women more often report tiredness, poor sleep or morning headaches than loud snoring. The risk rises during pregnancy and after menopause.
Can I still drink alcohol if I have sleep apnea?
Alcohol relaxes the throat muscles and can make apnea worse that night. It is wise to avoid it in the hours before bed.
Will treating sleep apnea lower my blood pressure?
It may help. Some people see a modest fall in blood pressure with regular treatment. Keep taking your blood pressure medicines unless your own doctor advises a change.
The bottom line on sleep apnea
OSA is more than snoring. Left untreated, it can affect your blood pressure, heart, mood and safety on the road. It can be diagnosed, and there are several ways to manage it. If these signs sound like you, book a visit with Dr. Muhammad Jabbr at Medcare Hospital Al Safa to find out where your airway narrows and which treatment fits.
