Sleep & Recovery · Sleep disorders

Understanding sleep disorders: insomnia & sleep apnoea

3 Min. read 2026-06-17 YUTHI Redaktion

Trouble falling asleep, waking up too early, gasping for breath during the night — sleep disorders are more common than you might think. What lies behind insomnia and sleep apnoea, what diagnosis and treatment look like, and what the research actually shows.

When sleep becomes a problem

Almost everyone has a bad night occasionally. But if trouble falling or staying asleep persists for weeks, or you can barely function during the day, there is often more to it. The two most common clinical sleep disorders are insomnia and obstructive sleep apnoea — both well researched, both treatable.

Around 10 to 15 percent of adults meet the criteria for clinical insomnia; for sleep apnoea, estimates suggest that up to a third of middle-aged men are affected — many of them undiagnosed (Peppard et al., 2013).

Insomnia: the cycle of rumination and wakefulness

Insomnia is diagnosed when you have difficulty falling asleep, wake repeatedly during the night, or lie awake too early — at least three nights a week for at least three months — and this impairs your daytime functioning (Riemann et al., 2017).

What makes the disorder so stubborn is a vicious cycle: poor sleep leads to worry about sleep. That tension keeps you awake. The bed becomes associated with restlessness rather than recovery — a learned pattern that can be unlearned.

Sleep apnoea: breathing pauses in the dark

In obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), the throat muscles relax during sleep, blocking the airway, and breathing stops for seconds at a time. The body briefly wakes to restore airflow — sometimes dozens or even hundreds of times a night, without the person being consciously aware of it.

Typical signs: loud snoring, severe daytime fatigue despite adequate sleep duration, morning headaches, difficulty concentrating. It is often a partner who first notices the breathing pauses.

Diagnosis: when to see a doctor

If you have been sleeping poorly on a regular basis for more than four weeks, or feel exhausted during the day despite getting enough sleep, seeing a doctor is the right next step. Your GP is the first point of contact.

If sleep apnoea is suspected, the path leads to a sleep clinic or accredited sleep laboratory. Polysomnography — measuring physiological parameters while you sleep — is the diagnostic standard. Such assessments start at around EUR 300 depending on the provider; statutory health insurance typically covers the cost when there is reasonable clinical suspicion.

Well-evidenced treatment: what actually helps

For chronic insomnia, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) is the first-line treatment — more effective than sleep medication and with longer-lasting effects (Riemann et al., 2017; Morin et al., 2006). CBT-I is available through trained therapists, but also as a scientifically validated digital programme. Sleep medication can bridge the short term but is not recommended for long-term use.

For obstructive sleep apnoea, CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) is the standard treatment: a breathing mask keeps the airway open during the night. Studies show clear improvements in daytime sleepiness and sleep quality; the effect on cardiovascular events depends strongly on nightly usage time, according to the SAVE study (McEvoy et al., 2016).

Taking sleep disorders seriously

Sleep is not a luxury. Persistent poor or fragmented sleep is associated with increased risk of mood problems, metabolic changes, and other health consequences. The good news: both disorders respond well to treatment once they are identified.

This content is general, study-based information and is not a substitute for medical or psychotherapeutic advice. If sleep problems persist, please consult a specialist.

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