How Do I Find Out if I Have Comorbid Insomnia And Sleep Apnea?

How Do I Find Out if I Have Comorbid Insomnia And Sleep Apnea (COMISA)?

If you regularly struggle to sleep but also snore, wake gasping or never feel properly refreshed, there may be more than one thing disrupting your nights. Insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) frequently occur together, a combination known as comorbid insomnia and sleep apnea, or COMISA.

It is surprisingly common. Around 30 to 40% of people with insomnia also have sleep apnea, while 30 to 50% of people with sleep apnea experience insomnia.¹

What symptoms should I look for?

Insomnia typically involves difficulty falling asleep, frequent or lengthy awakenings during the night, or waking too early and struggling to return to sleep. It can also leave you feeling tired and less able to function during the day.

Sleep apnea happens when the upper airway repeatedly narrows or closes during sleep, disrupting breathing and sleep. Signs can include loud snoring, witnessed pauses in breathing, choking or gasping awakenings, unrefreshing sleep and daytime sleepiness. However, some people with sleep apnea do not experience these obvious symptoms.

Because both conditions can cause disrupted sleep, fatigue and concentration difficulties, it can be difficult to tell them apart based on symptoms alone.

Start by talking to your GP

If your symptoms sound familiar, your GP is a good place to start. They can ask about your sleep patterns, nighttime symptoms and how your sleep affects you during the day.

Several questionnaires can help assess whether you are at risk. The Insomnia Severity Index is commonly used to assess insomnia, while tools such as STOP-Bang, OSA50 and Epworth Sleepiness Scale can identify people at higher risk of sleep apnea.¹

Will I need a sleep study?

If sleep apnea is suspected, your GP may recommend an overnight sleep study. This can be performed at home and is considered the gold standard for determining whether OSA is present and assessing its severity.¹

Insomnia is assessed differently and relies more heavily on your symptoms and sleep patterns. This is why discussing all your sleep concerns with your doctor is important rather than focusing only on snoring or difficulty sleeping.

Getting the full picture

Having COMISA means that both conditions may be contributing to poor sleep. Identifying only one could leave an important part of the problem untreated.

If you regularly have trouble falling or staying asleep alongside snoring, gasping, breathing interruptions, unrefreshing sleep or persistent daytime tiredness, speak with your GP. A thorough assessment can help determine whether insomnia, sleep apnea or a combination of both is affecting your sleep and guide you towards the right treatment.

How Sove CPAP Clinic Can Help

If you’re experiencing symptoms of both insomnia and sleep apnea, getting a comprehensive assessment can help uncover what’s really disrupting your sleep. At Sove CPAP Clinic, our team of Sleep and Respiratory Physicians and experienced Treatment Consultants can help assess your symptoms, sleep patterns and potential risk factors rather than focusing on just one sleep concern.

If sleep apnea is suspected, we offer bulk-billed home sleep studies for eligible patients to investigate whether OSA is present and assess its severity. If sleep apnea isn’t the only issue – or you continue to experience difficulty falling or staying asleep – our team can help explore your insomnia symptoms and determine the appropriate next steps.

Depending on your individual needs, your personalised treatment pathway may include insomnia support, CPAP therapy, a mandibular advancement splint (MAS), or referral and ongoing care with our clinical team. With face-to-face and telehealth consultations available, Sove can support you from assessment through to treatment and ongoing care.

If you’re struggling with insomnia alongside snoring, gasping, waking unrefreshed or persistent daytime tiredness, call our friendly team on 1300 76 29 39 or email info@thecpapclinic.com.au to find out how Sove can help you get a clearer picture of your sleep.

ALWAYS FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS FOR USE. CPAP is used for Obstructive Sleep Apnea treatment. MAS is intended to assist in and or prevent snoring and/or obstructive sleep apnea. When considering whether a sleep study, MAS or CPAP is right for you, speak to your doctor. Medicare criteria and T&Cs apply.

References

1. “General Practitioner Management of Comorbid Insomnia and Sleep Apnoea.” Australian Journal of General Practice, 2024, https://www1.racgp.org.au/ajgp/2023/september/general-practitioner-management-of-comorbid-insomn. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.