A good night’s sleep is one of the most crucial factors for a long and healthy life. The inability to get restful sleep can sometimes lead to dangerous health complications. Approximately 30 million American adults have sleep apnea, a sleep disorder in which your breathing may start and stop repeatedly, inhibiting a person’s ability to get a good night’s sleep.
Dr. Scott McCuskerear, nose and throat specialist Dignity Health Mercy Medical Groupshares the signs, dangers, and treatment options related to sleep apnea.
Signs You May Have Sleep Apnea
The most common type of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which occurs when the muscles in the throat relax and block airflow to the lungs. Snoring is an easily recognizable symptom of OSA. According to CDCPeople with OSA typically make periodic panting or “sniffling” noises, during which their sleep is momentarily interrupted.
“Additional signs of OSA include waking up with headaches and excessive daytime sleepiness or irritability,” says Dr. McCusker. “Often people ignore these symptoms and another person sleeping nearby is usually the one who first notices the panting noises.”
Factors that may increase the risk of sleep apnea include being overweight, narrowed airways, family history, alcohol consumption and smoking. CDC Research also indicates a higher likelihood of developing sleep apnea in men over 60 who have larger than average tonsils.
OSA often manifests differently in women and men, leading to underdiagnosis of women. Women tend to have more severe symptoms, including fatigue and poor cognitive performance, even with less severe illness. This is true even for women with a lower BMI. With proper diagnosis and treatment, both men and women can achieve excellent results.
Potential Dangers of Sleep Apnea
OSA occurs when the airway collapses during sleep and blocks the flow of oxygen to the brain. The brain detects a lack of oxygen and wakes the body just long enough to breathe, then goes back to sleep. This cycle repeats throughout the night and causes poor and disruptive sleep. When left untreated, OSA can cause traffic and workplace accidents, worsening mood and memory, strokes, heart attacks, and even death.
“Untreated sleep apnea can take up to 10 years of life,” says Dr. McCusker. “Specifically, it can lead to high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, lung disease, cognitive impairment, and more.” »
Diabetes has also been linked to lack of sleep caused by OSA. It has also been found that people with sleep apnea are at increased risk of developing a number of cardiovascular illnessesand research shows there may be a link between sleep apnea and excess body weightespecially among the elderly.
Three types of treatment
Oral appliances, similar to the mouthguards you wear at night, are often used to treat OSA. These devices work by preventing the tongue from blocking the airway during sleep. For eligible patients, an oral appliance can be a comfortable, minimally invasive treatment option. However, it is important to note that this treatment is not effective for patients with severe symptoms.
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is a common treatment for sleep apnea that uses gentle air pressure via a bedside machine to keep the airways open during sleep.
“CPAP is a great option for many patients, but some people have difficulty using it,” says Dr. McCusker. “Up to 40% of patients in one study were unable to use it as prescribed, and if you don’t wear it, you don’t benefit from it.”
The Inspire procedure is an FDA-approved OSA treatment option for people with moderate to severe symptoms who have difficulty using CPAP therapy. The Inspire system is implanted during a short outpatient procedure and works inside the body with the patient’s natural breathing process to treat the disorder. Mild stimulation opens the airways during sleep, allowing oxygen to flow naturally. The patient uses a small handheld remote control to turn Inspire on before bed and turn it off when waking up. To learn more about Inspire, please visit InspireSleep.com.
Traditional surgery is also available for adult patients who do not qualify for the Inspire procedure and cannot use CPAP therapy. Talk to your doctor about what type of treatment is right for you.
Behavior changes can help
The main lifestyle modification that helps reduce the risk of sleep apnea is maintaining a healthy weight. However, being a healthy weight does not guarantee OSA-free sleep. Even people with an optimal body mass index can still experience significant sleep apnea.
“We know that it is often difficult for patients with sleep apnea to lose weight, because insufficient sleep makes it even more difficult,” says Dr. McCusker. “Treating sleep apnea may therefore have the dual benefit of contributing to weight loss.”
Key takeaways
Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder that can lead to dangerous health complications. Fortunately, treatment options are available to help you.
If you think you have or are at risk of developing sleep apnea, make an appointment with your doctor. OUR “Find a doctor» can help you find a Dignity Health doctor near you.
