Key Takeaways:
Untreated sleep apnea can lead to severe health issues such as high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and a higher risk of all-cause mortality.
Loud snoring, choking or gasping for air, and excessive daytime sleepiness are indicators of sleep apnea.
A sleep study, either in a lab or at home, is crucial for diagnosing sleep apnea.
CPAP therapy, lifestyle changes, and oral appliances are common treatments.
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder that involves a decrease or complete halt in airflow that occurs when the muscles relax during sleep, causing soft tissue in the back of the throat to collapse and block the upper airway, which causes you to stop breathing.
Millions of adults in the U.S. have Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), yet about 90% remain undiagnosed.
If you snore loudly or wake up feeling tired, even after a full night’s sleep, you may be experiencing sleep apnea. This condition not only disrupts your sleep but can also increase the risk of serious health issues, including high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and stroke.
Several studies now link severe obstructive sleep apnea to higher mortality — even after accounting for risk factors such as obesity, and the risk of sleep apnea death increases when the condition is undiagnosed or untreated.
Understanding the impact of sleep apnea is the first step toward improving your sleep and overall health.
Is Sleep Apnea Dangerous? The Effects of Sleep Apnea
Living with sleep apnea results in a poor quality of life, which entails health consequences that could shorten the lifespan.
The long-term effects of chronic sleep deprivation can drain your mental abilities and put your physical health at real risk, weakening your immune system and making you more vulnerable to sickness.
Studies report that sleep apnea increases the risk of heart failure by 140%, stroke risk by 60%, and coronary heart disease by 30%.
A sleep apnea diagnosis is the first step towards treating the underlying cause of your symptoms, and it can improve your health, well-being, and longevity.
Can You Die in Your Sleep From Sleep Apnea?
While rare, untreated obstructive sleep apnea can potentially lead to death during sleep. This risk is believed to be higher in older people, those with underlying conditions or severe OSA.
Some experts agree that severe, untreated sleep apnea can elevate the risk of sudden death. Studies reveal a strong link between obstructive sleep apnea and stroke and death.
Some of the critical health risks of untreated sleep apnea include:
Cardiovascular Disease: Sleep apnea increases the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, heart attacks, heart failure, and even strokes.
Type 2 Diabetes: Your sleep and your blood sugar levels are linked. Sleep apnea can disrupt how your body regulates blood sugar levels, increasing your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Mental Health: Not getting good sleep can take a toll on your mental health. Depression, mood changes, anxiety, and depression can arise if sleep apnea goes untreated.
Accidents: Feeling sleepy all the time can be dangerous. You’re more likely to have accidents at work, at home, or on the road.
If you think you might have sleep apnea, don’t ignore it. Consult with your doctor or get a home sleep test. You can take the test in the comfort of your own bed and obtain results in just one night.
Signs You May Have Sleep Apnea
Many people are living with sleep apnea without knowing it.
Recognizing the signs of sleep apnea can help you understand if you should get a diagnosis and treatment. Since it happens while you're asleep, it can be hard to notice. But there are some common signs to look out for.
Do any of these sound familiar?
Loud, Persistent Snoring: This indicates partial obstruction of the airway. If your snoring is so loud that it wakes up your partner, it could be a sign.
Pauses in Breathing: This involves short interruptions in your breathing while asleep, often observed by others.
Choking or Gasping for Air: Waking up suddenly feeling like you're choking isn't normal and can be a sign of disrupted breathing.
Excessive Daytime Sleepiness: Constant waking during the night can disrupt your sleep pattern and leave you feeling exhausted the next day.
Morning Headaches: Sleep apnea episodes can result in reduced oxygen levels during the night and disturbed sleep patterns that cause morning headaches.
Difficulty Concentrating: Poor sleep can leave you sleep-deprived, affecting your focus, memory, and decision-making skills.
Irritability or Mood Changes: Feeling cranky or depressed might be linked to poor sleep.
Frequent Nighttime Awakenings: Waking up often to pee can be a sign of sleep apnea.
Dry Mouth or Sore Throat: Waking up with a dry mouth or sore throat might be related to mouth breathing caused by sleep apnea.
Some symptoms, like snoring or waking up abruptly and having shortness of breath, occur while sleeping. In this case, a bed partner, roommate, or family member can help you identify these signs.
Review the following list to see if these symptoms resonate with you. If you find yourself resonating with several items, consider taking a Home Sleep Test.
- Loud, persistent snoring
Pauses in breathing during sleep (noticed by others)
Waking up gasping for air or choking
Excessive daytime sleepiness
Morning headaches
Difficulty concentrating or memory problems
Irritability or mood changes
Frequent nighttime awakenings
Dry mouth or sore throat in the morning
How is Sleep Apnea Diagnosed?
Symptoms of sleep apnea are the first indicators of sleep disorder, but diagnostic testing is required to determine sleep apnea.
There are two ways to determine sleep apnea:
In-Lab Sleep Study: Also known as a Polysomnogram (PSG), is an overnight study performed at a sleep center to diagnose sleep disorders. This comprehensive test collects data that helps identify sleep apnea, insomnia, narcolepsy, and other sleep-related conditions. However, this type of test can be more expensive and less accessible due to limited locations and availability.
Home Sleep Test (HST): This is the most comfortable and cost-effective approach, which feels like bringing the sleep lab to your home. The home sleep test is a small and non-invasive device that includes only three points of contact in the body. The portable device monitors your breathing and oxygen levels and calculates OSA severity in just one night.
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Can Treatment Cure Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea treatment can eliminate or decrease the disruptions to breathing and sleep associated with sleep apnea. As a result, people who undergo sleep apnea treatment can avoid or reduce the risks and complications associated with untreated OSA.
If you've been diagnosed with sleep apnea, the following treatment options are available:
1. CPAP Therapy
The most common treatment option for sleep apnea is the use of a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine. A CPAP machine sends pressurized air through a hose and mask while you sleep to keep your airway open so you can breathe freely all night long.
It's important to use CPAP therapy regularly to effectively treat OSA. The benefits include improving sleep quality, reducing daytime fatigue, and lowering the risk of other health problems.
2. Lifestyle Changes
In addition to CPAP therapy, making simple changes to your lifestyle can make a big difference. Losing weight, quitting smoking, cutting back on alcohol, and even changing sleep positions can help ease sleep apnea symptoms. These small steps can lead to big improvements in your overall health.
3. Oral Appliances
If you have trouble adjusting to CPAP therapy, you might consider a CPAP alternative, like an oral appliance. Oral appliances are convenient and portable, making them a good option for mild to moderate sleep apnea. However, they might not be as effective as CPAP for people with severe OSA.
4. Surgical Options
For some people with severe sleep apnea, surgery might be an option. There are different types, like Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP), which tightens up the tissues in the back of your throat. There's also maxillomandibular advancement, which is a procedure that moves your jaw forward. Another option is Inspire therapy, where a small device gets implanted in your chest to help control your breathing muscles.
Remember, the best treatment for you depends on the severity of your sleep apnea and your personal preferences. Talk to a healthcare provider to determine the right treatment for you.
Sleep Apnea Risk Factors
Anyone can develop obstructive sleep apnea or OSA. However, certain factors put you at increased risk, including:
- Excess weight
Fat deposits around the upper airway may obstruct breathing, and certain health conditions associated with obesity, such as hypothyroidism and polycystic ovary syndrome, can cause OSA.
- Narrowed Airways
Narrowed airways and enlarged tonsils or adenoids can block your airway, increasing the risk of sleep apnea.
- High Blood Pressure
Obstructive sleep apnea is relatively common in people with hypertension.
- Chronic Nasal Congestion
Consistent nasal congestion at night, regardless of the cause: allergies, narrowed airways, or sinus problems.
- Smoking
Smokers are at a higher risk of developing obstructive sleep apnea.
- Diabetes
Obstructive sleep apnea may be prevalent in people with diabetes.
- Sex
In general, men are twice as likely as premenopausal women to have obstructive sleep apnea. The frequency of obstructive sleep apnea increases in women after menopause.
- Genetics
A family history of obstructive sleep apnea increases the likelihood.
- Asthma
Research has found an association between asthma and the risk of obstructive sleep apnea.
These risk factors are closely linked to the development of Obstructive Sleep Apnea and may have implications for sleep apnea death; for this, it is essential to know if you are considered at risk and seek diagnosis and proper management.
When to Seek Medical Advice for Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a potentially life-threatening sleep disorder that is on the rise.
A doctor may suggest a sleep study to detect the underlying cause and severity of your case and determine treatment options and their likelihood of success.
If CPAP therapy is advised, different types of masks, machines, and accessories make treatment comfortable and personalized to your specific needs.
Persistent Symptoms: If you're experiencing persistent symptoms like loud snoring, waking up gasping for air, feeling constantly tired, experiencing morning headaches, or trouble focusing, it might be time to talk to a healthcare professional.
Health Risks: Sleep apnea could be a serious concern, especially if you have other health issues like high blood pressure, heart problems, or type 2 diabetes.
Lifestyle Impact: If you struggle with weight management, poor focus, irritability, and worry about falling asleep while driving and you’ve tried making lifestyle changes or using home remedies, but nothing seems to help, it's time to consult a doctor.
Unresolved issues: When sleep apnea symptoms keep getting worse or show no signs of improvement despite treatment efforts, seek a professional evaluation. And if you are uncertain about your symptoms, try a home sleep test. It's an easy way to check for sleep apnea fast without leaving your home.
Need to speak with a sleep expert? Contact Us today for proper guidance and advice.
References
Vanessa Ling, ND, CNS. National Council on Aging. “Sleep Apnea Statistics: Understanding the Prevalence and Risk.” NCOA. (2024). [ NCOA.org ]
Punjabi, Naresh M. "The Epidemiology of Adult Obstructive Sleep Apnea." Proceedings of the American Thoracic Society 5, no. 2 (2008): 136-143. [ PubMed ]
Patient Care & Health Information > Diseases & Conditions > Obstructive sleep apnea. “Obstructive Sleep Apnea - Symptoms and Causes.” Mayo Clinic. (2023): CON-20166458. [ Mayo Clinic ]
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. “What Causes Sleep Apnea?” NHLBI. Accessed August 8, 2024. [ NHLBI ]
Young, Terry, Paul E. Peppard, and Daniel J. Gottlieb. "Epidemiology of Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Population Health Perspective." American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine 165, no. 9 (2002): 1217-1239. [ NCBI ]
- Marshall, Nicholas S., et al. "Sleep Apnea as an Independent Risk Factor for All-Cause Mortality: The Busselton Health Study." New England Journal of Medicine 363, no. 13 (2010): 1205-1214. [ NEJM.org ]
