When breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep, the medical term for this condition is sleep apnea. This common and serious sleep disorder impacts millions. It interrupts the body’s normal sleep cycle, preventing restorative rest and leading to various health complications.
Understanding Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is characterized by recurrent episodes where breathing pauses or becomes very shallow while a person is asleep. These interruptions can last from a few seconds to several minutes and may occur many times throughout the night. The body’s response to these breathing pauses is typically a brief awakening, often accompanied by a snort or gasp, to restart respiration. These awakenings are usually so brief that the individual does not remember them, though they fragment sleep quality.
There are two primary types: obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and central sleep apnea (CSA). OSA, the more prevalent form, happens when the upper airway becomes blocked or too narrow during sleep. This blockage typically occurs when throat muscles relax, causing soft tissues to collapse and obstruct airflow. CSA occurs when the brain fails to send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing, meaning the body “forgets” to breathe. A third, less common type, mixed or complex sleep apnea, involves characteristics of both OSA and CSA.
Common Indicators and Risk Factors
Individuals with sleep apnea often exhibit several noticeable signs, with loud, chronic snoring being one of the most common indicators. However, not everyone who snores has sleep apnea, and some people with sleep apnea do not snore loudly. Other symptoms include gasping, snorting, or choking noises during sleep, as well as observed pauses in breathing reported by a bed partner. Daytime fatigue, excessive sleepiness, and difficulty concentrating are also frequent complaints.
Several factors can increase a person’s likelihood of developing sleep apnea. Obesity is a significant risk factor, as excess fat deposits around the upper airway can obstruct breathing. Other physical characteristics, such as a large neck circumference, enlarged tonsils, or certain inherited narrow airway structures, also contribute to the risk. Additionally, being male, older age, a family history of sleep apnea, smoking, and the use of alcohol or sedatives can further elevate the risk.
Potential Health Consequences
Untreated sleep apnea can lead to a range of significant health complications. The repeated drops in blood oxygen levels and fragmented sleep place considerable stress on the cardiovascular system. This can result in an increased risk of developing high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, and irregular heart rhythms. There is also an increased risk of cardiovascular-related death.
Beyond cardiovascular issues, sleep apnea is also associated with an elevated risk of developing or worsening type 2 diabetes. The chronic sleep deprivation and oxygen fluctuations can affect the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar effectively. Furthermore, persistent daytime sleepiness can impair concentration, memory, and decision-making, increasing the risk of accidents, particularly while driving or operating machinery. Cognitive impairments, mood changes like depression and anxiety, and a reduced quality of life are also potential outcomes.
Identifying and Addressing the Condition
Diagnosis involves a healthcare provider evaluation, often followed by a sleep study. Nocturnal polysomnography, the most common diagnostic test, monitors various bodily functions during sleep. In some cases, a simplified home sleep apnea test may be an option, though it cannot diagnose central sleep apnea. The severity is often determined by the Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI), which counts the number of breathing pauses or shallow breathing events per hour.
Once diagnosed, several treatment options are available. Lifestyle modifications include weight loss, avoiding alcohol and sedatives, and changing sleeping positions to avoid sleeping on the back. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy is a common and effective treatment, using a machine that delivers pressurized air through a mask to keep the airway open. Other treatments include oral appliances that reposition the jaw or tongue, and surgical procedures to correct anatomical obstructions. Consult a healthcare professional to determine the most appropriate treatment plan.