Sleep apnea and narcolepsy are both sleep disorders, so some people wonder whether one can cause the other. Sleep apnea does not cause narcolepsy, but the two conditions can share some symptoms.

Sleep apnea is a sleep-related breathing disorder. It causes repeated pauses or shallow breathing during sleep, which can disrupt your rest and lower oxygen levels.

Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder in which the brain has trouble controlling sleep-wake cycles (when you feel asleep or awake). Its primary symptom is excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), a sudden, strong urge to fall asleep during the day.

Here’s what to know about the link between sleep apnea and narcolepsy.

How Do Sleep Apnea and Narcolepsy Symptoms Overlap?

Some symptoms are shared by both sleep apnea and narcolepsy. For instance, EDS is one of the primary symptoms of both conditions.

EDS can make staying awake during the day difficult for people with sleep apnea and extremely difficult for those living with narcolepsy.

Sleep Apnea Symptoms

Sleep apnea can be serious because it causes your breathing to repeatedly stop and start during sleep.

There are three types of sleep apnea:

• Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) — The most common type, caused when the throat muscles relax and block the airway during sleep
• Central sleep apnea (CSA) — Occurs when the brain doesn’t send the proper signals to the muscles that control breathing
• Complex sleep apnea — A combination of OSA and CSA

In sleep apnea, breathing interruptions can happen many times per night, sometimes even hundreds of times. A person can stop breathing for 10 seconds or longer at a time (a common medical definition of an apnea event). But you might be unaware of these events because they often happen without fully waking you up.

Other symptoms of OSA include:

• Morning headaches
• Dry mouth when waking up
• Loud snoring
• Mood changes (such as irritability or depression)

Narcolepsy Symptoms

EDS is a key symptom of narcolepsy. This drowsiness is so severe that people often have “sleep attacks” (sudden, uncontrollable urges to fall asleep). These can happen at unexpected times, such as during a conversation or while driving.

Another possible symptom of narcolepsy is cataplexy (a sudden loss of muscle control). This can happen in response to a strong emotion, such as laughter or anger.

Other symptoms of narcolepsy can include:

• Sleep paralysis (being unable to move or speak when falling asleep or waking up)
• Insomnia (trouble falling or staying asleep)
• Hallucinations when falling asleep or waking up (seeing or hearing things that aren’t there)

How Do Doctors Differentiate Sleep Apnea From Narcolepsy?

Doctors will perform a physical exam and may order tests to determine whether you have sleep apnea, narcolepsy, or another sleep disorder. They’ll take a detailed medical and sleep history (information about your symptoms, sleep habits, and overall health) and conduct a thorough exam.

They may order a sleep study (a test that monitors your body while you sleep) and other tests. They might also ask you to track your sleep habits in a sleep diary.

Tests used to diagnose narcolepsy and sleep apnea may include:

• Polysomnography — An overnight test done in a sleep lab that measures brain activity, breathing, heart rate, and body movements during sleep
• Multiple Sleep Latency Test — A daytime test that measures how quickly you fall asleep and helps identify other sleep disorders
• Actigraphy — Uses a wearable device called an actigraph to track activity and rest patterns over time, which can help show sleep-wake cycles
• Lumbar puncture (spinal tap) — A procedure that collects spinal fluid to check hypocretin levels (a brain chemical that helps regulate wakefulness), which may be low in people with narcolepsy
• Home sleep apnea testing — A test you can do at home using a device that measures airflow, breathing patterns, and oxygen levels during sleep

After your doctor performs these tests and exams, they’ll share your diagnosis. Once you have a clear diagnosis, you can work with your healthcare provider to create a treatment plan that fits your needs.

What Causes Sleep Apnea and Narcolepsy?

The cause of OSA is usually linked to a blocked or narrowed airway during sleep.

In contrast, researchers aren’t sure of the exact cause of narcolepsy. It’s thought to be a combination of genetic factors and related conditions. This can make OSA easier to identify and treat compared with narcolepsy.

Sleep Apnea Causes

OSA occurs when the muscles in the back of the throat relax too much during sleep, blocking the airways and interrupting normal breathing.

With central sleep apnea, the airway stays open, but the brain doesn’t send the correct signals to the muscles that control breathing.

In complex sleep apnea, a combination of brain and airway issues occur.

In all three types, a person may briefly wake up when breathing stops, which can prevent deeper, more restful sleep.

Narcolepsy Causes

Narcolepsy type 1 (with cataplexy) is linked to low levels of hypocretin. This is the neurotransmitter that encourages wakefulness and prevents your brain from entering rapid eye movement (REM) sleep.

A combination of genetic, autoimmune, and environmental factors increases the risk for narcolepsy. Sometimes, narcolepsy may occur after a person has an infection of the upper respiratory tract (like a cold or flu).

In rare cases, narcolepsy can develop as a result of head injury, stroke, or brain tumor.

Is It Possible To Have Sleep Apnea and Narcolepsy?

It’s possible to have both sleep apnea and narcolepsy. People with sleep apnea are at a higher risk of having other sleep-related conditions, such as restless legs syndrome and insomnia.

A study of 133 people with narcolepsy found 33 participants (nearly 25 percent) also had OSA. One challenge with having sleep apnea and narcolepsy is that narcolepsy may be diagnosed later or missed at first.

When an OSA diagnosis is made, doctors may assume it’s the main cause of EDS. They may not immediately look for other possible causes, such as narcolepsy.

How Common Are Sleep Apnea and Narcolepsy?

Narcolepsy is rare. Sleep apnea, on the other hand, is fairly common.

Who Gets Sleep Apnea?

A 2025 study estimated that about 84 million people live with OSA in the United States, around 32 percent of the population. Around 80 percent of these cases are undiagnosed.

According to research in Sleep Medicine, OSA is more prevalent among men, African Americans, Native Americans, and Hispanics. The condition can develop at any age, but it’s more common among people over the age of 40 and those who have been diagnosed as overweight or with obesity.

Who Gets Narcolepsy?

Narcolepsy affects about 1 in 2,000 people in the United States. However, the condition is thought to be underdiagnosed in the U.S.

Narcolepsy affects men and women equally, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. It’s most often diagnosed in late childhood or young adulthood between the ages of 10 and 30.

How Are Sleep Apnea and Narcolepsy Treated?

Treatment depends on what’s causing the sleep issues. OSA can sometimes be effectively treated or resolved (no longer causing symptoms), depending on the underlying cause. Narcolepsy can also be effectively managed, although there’s currently no cure.

Treatments can help manage both conditions and significantly improve your quality of life.

Sleep Apnea Treatments

There are several effective treatments for sleep apnea:

• Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) — A CPAP device is often the first treatment for OSA. A CPAP device delivers a steady stream of air through a mask to help keep the airway open during sleep.
• Medication — In late 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved tirzepatide (Zepbound) to treat OSA in adults with obesity. This medication may help reduce the severity of OSA when used under a doctor’s care.
• Oral appliances — There are several FDA-approved oral appliances designed to shift the position of the jaw or tongue to help keep the airway open.
• Surgery — Surgery is sometimes recommended in certain cases, depending on the cause and location of the airway blockage.
• Lifestyle and behavior changes — These might include losing weight, sleeping in a different position, or avoiding alcohol before bed.

If you think you or a loved one might have sleep apnea, it’s important to talk with a healthcare provider about your symptoms and possible testing.

Left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to serious medical conditions that can affect life expectancy. This can include heart problems or brain damage.

Narcolepsy Treatments

Narcolepsy treatment can include several different types of medications to help relieve symptoms. These include:

• Stimulant medications — Used to help people stay awake and alert during the day
• Antidepressants — Can help improve sleep, reduce hallucinations, and treat cataplexy.
• Sodium oxybate treatments — Can help with EDS and cataplexy.

Lifestyle changes, such as exercising regularly, maintaining a sleep schedule, and taking planned naps, may improve nighttime sleep.

If you’re experiencing drowsiness during the day or other symptoms mentioned in this article, talk to your doctor. They can help you pinpoint the cause and develop a treatment plan.

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On MySleepApneaTeam, people share their experiences with sleep apnea, get advice, and find support from others who understand.

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