and Ahmet Cengiz
Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder that causes serious health effects among a
large part of the population. It is a disorder that is often undetected and causes major
long-term health issues. While there are different types of sleep apnea, the most
common is Obstructive Sleep Apnea, or OSA. According to the National Sleep
Foundation, over 50 million Americans suffer from obstructive sleep apnea, and 80% of
them are undiagnosed.
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a condition where one repeatedly stops and starts breathing during
sleep. While there are two types of sleep apnea, the most common one is OSA.
Disrupted sleep and deficient oxygen intake prevent deep and quality sleep, which
results in daytime fatigue. While daytime fatigue is one of the obvious and debilitating
effects of sleep apnea, disrupted sleep plays a role in many other areas. People with sleep
apnea are often more likely to have high blood pressure and diabetes, which in
turn lead to various high risk health conditions in the future. According to the Journal
of Clinical Sleep Medicine study, obstructive sleep apnea increases the risk of heart
failure by 140%, the risk of stroke by 60%, and the risk of coronary heart disease by
30%. In other words, it increases risk factors for a healthy individual and leads to major
health issues in the future.
How can one know if they have sleep apnea?
Daytime fatigue, not waking up feeling refreshed, falling asleep easily during the
daytime while reading a book, waking up with a dry mouth, and loud snoring or
choking sounds during sleep are all signs that one has sleep apnea. However, to
officially determine sleep apnea, one needs a sleep study, which can be done both at a
sleep center and at home with advancements in diagnostic technology. A sleep study
will show a person’s oxygen saturation and the average number of times a person stops
breathing or becomes restricted for at least 10 seconds (AHI).
What causes sleep apnea and is it treatable?
While there are different causes for different types of sleep apnea, OSA is caused by
relaxation of throat muscles and the tongue that cause a blockage in the airway.
Obesity, physical anatomy, sleeping position, age, gender, medication usage, and
alcohol usage are among the common factors that lead to a blockage in the airway by
affecting the throat muscles and tongue.
Most of the time, mild OSA symptoms can be improved by learning proper sleep
positions and working on weight management; however, depending on the cause and
severity, further treatments can be necessary. The most common way is to use a CPAP,
which delivers a continuous airflow and keeps airways open.
Sleep apnea disorder can present due to multiple symptoms and in different severity.
Furthermore, it is not always OSA. To best determine proper treatment and improve
both daily and future health, it is best to get an opinion from a professional.