For years, basketball legend and Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal lived with symptoms that many people dismiss as minor annoyances. Loud snoring, daytime fatigue and poor sleep quality eventually led him to undergo an overnight sleep study at Harvard Medical School in 2011. The results revealed that he had moderate obstructive sleep apnea, a condition that causes breathing to repeatedly stop and start during sleep.
More recently, O’Neal has spoken publicly about how weight management, medical guidance and newer treatment options have helped improve his symptoms. He told Healthline, “My snoring got so bad that my friends started making…funny videos out of them. And then I was always tired during the daytime.”
After consulting with healthcare professionals, he started treatment that included lifestyle modifications and the prescription medication Zepbound. The medication received FDA approval for treating moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea in adults living with obesity. The story of Shaquille O’Neal’s sleep apnea is important because it reflects the experience of millions of Americans who may be living with the condition without realizing the long-term health consequences.
What is sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by repeated interruptions in breathing during sleep. The most common form, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), occurs when tissues in the throat temporarily block the airway. These frequent breathing pauses, known as apneas, can happen dozens or even hundreds of times each night. Each episode forces the brain to briefly wake the body to resume breathing, significantly reducing blood oxygen levels and fragmenting the sleep cycle. Because these micro-awakenings are so brief, individuals often have no memory of them, yet they thoroughly disrupt the deep, restorative stages of sleep necessary for physical and mental recovery.
What’s happening in your body
During obstructive sleep apnea, the muscles that support the soft tissues in the throat relax excessively. As the airway narrows or collapses, airflow becomes restricted or stops completely. The brain senses reduced oxygen levels and briefly awakens the sleeper to restore breathing.
Beyond the hallmark symptoms of loud, chronic snoring and occasional gasping or choking sounds during the night, untreated sleep apnea takes a severe toll on systemic health. The constant cycle of oxygen deprivation and sudden awakenings triggers a chronic stress response in the body. Over time, this strain contributes to major cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension, heart arrhythmias and an increased risk of stroke. It is also closely linked to metabolic disorders like insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.
Furthermore, the resulting daytime fatigue goes far beyond simple drowsiness; it actively impairs cognitive function, compromises mood regulation, and drastically increases the risk of attention-related accidents during daily activities.
Causes of sleep apnea
Several factors can increase the risk of developing obstructive sleep apnea. Excess body weight remains one of the most significant contributors, as fat deposits around the neck can narrow the airway and increase the risk of airway collapse during sleep.
O’Neal explained his symptoms to Eli Lilly and Company in a recent press release. “For a long time, I was tired during the day, not sleeping well at night, and I just thought that’s how it was for someone my size,” he told the pharmaceutical giant. “When my doctor told me I had moderate obstructive sleep apnea, it clicked – this wasn’t just about snoring, it was a real health condition.”
Other causes and risk factors include advancing age, male sex, enlarged tonsils, a naturally narrow airway, smoking, alcohol use, chronic nasal congestion and a family history of the disorder. Certain anatomical characteristics, including a small jaw or crowded airway structures, may also increase susceptibility. Sleep position can also play a role, with some individuals experiencing more breathing interruptions when sleeping on their backs.
Health risks and complications
Sleep apnea is far more than a snoring problem. Repeated oxygen deprivation and disrupted sleep place a significant strain on the body. Research has linked untreated obstructive sleep apnea to high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, heart attacks, heart failure, stroke and irregular heart rhythms.
Dr. Diana Rangaves tells Blavity Health, “Chronic sleep deprivation can take a toll on you, leaving you feeling drained, irritable and in a mental haze. Ideally, adults should aim for at least seven hours of sleep each night.”
Chronic sleep deprivation caused by apnea can also impair concentration, memory, mood and decision-making. Many individuals experience chronic fatigue that affects work performance, relationships, and overall quality of life. Some people report morning headaches, irritability, depression and difficulty staying awake while driving.
In addition, sleep apnea is associated with insulin resistance and weight gain, which can further complicate long-term health outcomes.
What to do about sleep apnea
The first step is recognizing the symptoms. Loud snoring, gasping for air during sleep, choking sensations, excessive daytime sleepiness and difficulty concentrating should prompt a discussion with a healthcare provider.
Diagnosis typically requires a sleep study, either in a sleep laboratory or through a home-based testing program. Once diagnosed, treatment options vary based on severity and individual health needs.
Lifestyle changes often form the foundation of treatment. Weight loss, regular exercise, limiting alcohol intake and improving sleep habits can significantly reduce symptoms. Some people benefit from positional therapy that encourages side sleeping.
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy remains the gold standard treatment for many individuals. CPAP machines deliver pressurized air through a mask, helping keep the airway open throughout the night. Oral appliances and surgical interventions may also be appropriate in certain cases.
For people with obesity-related sleep apnea, the Sleep Foundation reports that medications such as Zepbound may help reduce symptom severity when prescribed by a healthcare professional.
How did Shaq fix his sleep apnea?
After years of struggling with symptoms, O’Neal began taking a more proactive approach to his health. According to reports discussing his experience, physicians recommended treatment strategies that included CPAP therapy, weight management and lifestyle modifications.
Initially, he found CPAP therapy challenging and was not consistent with its use. However, worsening symptoms and increasing awareness of the health risks associated with untreated sleep apnea motivated him to seek better solutions. Over time, he worked closely with healthcare professionals to improve his sleep quality and overall health.
O’Neal has discussed using Zepbound as part of a broader treatment plan. Alongside medical treatment, he significantly improved his diet by focusing on lean proteins and reducing consumption of highly processed foods. He also increased physical activity through regular workouts, biking and cardiovascular exercise. These changes contributed to weight loss, which can substantially improve airway function in people with obesity-related sleep apnea.
His experience demonstrates that successful management often requires a combination of treatments rather than relying on a single solution.
How does your body change after a CPAP machine?
CPAP therapy can produce dramatic improvements in both sleep quality and overall health. By preventing airway collapse, the device allows the body to maintain normal oxygen levels throughout the night.
Many patients notice improvements within days or weeks of beginning treatment. They often wake feeling more rested, experience fewer morning headaches and report improved concentration during the day. Mood, energy levels and cognitive performance may also improve.
Over the long term, CPAP therapy can reduce blood pressure, improve cardiovascular health and decrease the risk of serious complications associated with untreated sleep apnea. Consistent use may also help reduce inflammation and improve insulin sensitivity.
When to see a doctor
Many people ignore sleep apnea symptoms because they assume snoring is normal. However, persistent snoring accompanied by fatigue or breathing interruptions should never be dismissed.
You should speak with a healthcare provider if you experience loud snoring, episodes of choking or gasping during sleep, excessive daytime sleepiness, unexplained fatigue, morning headaches, difficulty concentrating, mood changes or high blood pressure that remains difficult to control.
A doctor may recommend a sleep study to determine whether sleep apnea is present and assess its severity. Early diagnosis is important because treatment can significantly reduce health risks and improve daily functioning.
Bottom line
Sleep apnea is a serious but highly treatable condition that affects millions of adults. O’Neal’s journey illustrates how symptoms can worsen when ignored but improve dramatically with proper medical care, weight management, lifestyle changes and appropriate therapies. Understanding the warning signs and seeking professional evaluation can help protect both sleep quality and overall health.
Frequently Asked Questions
At what age does sleep apnea usually start?
Sleep apnea can develop at any age, but it becomes more common in adults over age 40.
Who is most prone to sleep apnea?
People with obesity, men, older adults, smokers, and individuals with a family history of sleep apnea are among those at the highest risk.
Citations
Harvard Medical School. Tackling Sleep Apnea. Harvard Medical School. Published May 24, 2011. https://hms.harvard.edu/news/tackling-sleep-apnea
Cassata C. Shaquille O’Neal Shares How Zepbound Helped with Sleep Apnea and Weight Loss. Healthline. Published June 10, 2026. https://www.healthline.com/health-news/shaquille-oneal-zepbound-sleep-apnea
UAD Chicago. Shaquille O’Neal’s Experience With Sleep Apnea. UAD Chicago. https://www.uadchicago.com/uncategorized/shaquille-oneals-experience-with-sleep-apnea/
Burns C. What Is Zepbound for Sleep Apnea? Sleep Foundation. Published November 7, 2025. https://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleep-apnea/zepbound-for-sleep-apnea
Silva S. Understanding How Zepbound Works. Healthline. Published June 12, 2026. https://www.healthline.com/health/drugs/how-does-zepbound-work