Many patients with sleep apnea complain of insomnia. Sometimes it can be because the snoring causes a disruption of sleep, leads to more awakenings. Other times it could be because people with sleep apnea are sleepy. Generally people don’t complain of poor sleep unless they are sleepy.
In my practice I have had many people referred to me for insomnia that turn out to have sleep apnea. Also I have had many people referred to me for snoring, however they have been on some kind of sleep aid for years prior to sleep evaluation.
Half of patients with OSA (Obstructive Sleep Apnea) may complain of Insomnia. Also, Nearly half of patients on chronic hypnotic therapy have an undiagnosed/untreated OSA, and potentially the hypnotic therapy could be further provoking OSA by pharyngeal muscle relaxation (AASM 2009 Board Review)
