Sleep apnea is when your breathing starts and stops while you sleep. Sleep apnea manifests in various symptoms, from snoring to fitful sleep, but it may not always be clear which form of sleep apnea you suffer from or if you have the condition.
There are two different types of sleep apnea:
- Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common form, and it occurs when throat muscles relax and block airflow into the lungs.
- Central sleep apnea (CSA) occurs when the brain doesn’t send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing.
The most concerning form of sleep apnea is the most common type, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The condition affects 15-30% of males in North America and 15% of women1 and is considered potentially dangerous if not treated.
Signs of obstructive sleep apnea
The following symptoms usually suggest sleep apnea is present, if you would like to find out more about the condition, you can contact your healthcare provider:
Daytime sleepiness
People suffering from OSA usually lack focus during the day, experience brain fog, and are unable to remain fully awake or alert throughout the day. They may also complain about falling asleep while watching TV, reading, or operating a vehicle.
Snoring, choking, gasping during sleep
Choking or gasping during sleep or waking with a dry mouth are common aspects of OSA, often associated with snoring. Snoring and similar features like snorting witnessed apnoeic periods (reduced breathing state with insufficient oxygen intake), periods of silence followed by loud snoring, and fitful or restless sleep are standard in OSA.
Morning headaches
About 10 to 30 percent of people with untreated OSA2 report morning headaches. These headaches typically occur daily or most days of the week and may last several hours after awakening in the morning. They usually occur on both sides of the forehead (bifrontal) and feel like the head is squeezing.
Dangers of sleep apnea
Sleep apnea is a concern because of the dangerous health conditions it can lead to if left untreated. However, even obstructive sleep apnea is both treatable and even curable.
- At risk for motor vehicle accidents. Due to the drowsiness caused by interrupted and restless sleep in OSA, people are often less alert than non-OSA sufferers and are at a much higher risk of falling asleep while driving.
- Impaired brain function. OSA can create or worsen inattention, memory, and cognitive deficits, which can result in impaired brain functioning and increase the likelihood of errors and accidents3.
- Cardiovascular risk. Patients with OSA are at increased risk for systemic hypertension, coronary artery disease, cardiac arrhythmias, heart failure, and stroke due to the inconsistency of oxygen to the brain and in the blood.
- Metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. Sleep apnea deprives the body of oxygen, negatively affecting glucose levels and insulin resistance. The condition changes the rate at which sugar can be broken down in the body at such a level that it can lead to type 2 diabetes.
- High blood pressure. During an OSA episode, the adrenaline surge and other reactions triggered by your nervous system as you try to breathe cause your heart rate to accelerate quickly. This acceleration leads to elevated blood pressure at night and even during the day.
Getting treatment for sleep apnea
It’s always best to start with a consultation with your healthcare provider, who may suggest some of the following treatments:
- CPAP machine. A CPAP machine gently pumps air into a mask you wear over your mouth or nose while you sleep. This helps improve your breathing by stopping your airways from becoming too narrow. Speak to your healthcare provider for recommendations on getting a machine.
- Gum shields. Specialist gum shields you can wear at night keep your airways open while you sleep, improving oxygen flow. Speak to our healthcare provider if you would like to try this method.
- Surgery. Surgery is sometimes considered when there is a physical cause of sleep apnea, such as enlarged tonsils that block airflow.
- Lifestyle changes. Losing weight, reducing alcohol intake, and giving up smoking will all contribute to lowering tissue density in your airways and blocking them.
At Hoag Compass, a team of healthcare professionals can recommend the right plan to help manage your sleep apnea. If you want to learn more about managing sleep apnea, speak to someone at Hoag Compass today by contacting us at compass@hoag.org or (949) 557-0951.
1 Young T, Palta M, Dempsey J, et al. The occurrence of sleep-disordered breathing among middle-aged adults. N Engl J Med 1993; 328:1230.
2 Russell MB, Kristiansen HA, Kvaerner KJ. Headache in sleep apnea syndrome: epidemiology and pathophysiology. Cephalalgia 2014; 34:752.
3 Young T, Palta M, Dempsey J, et al. The burden of sleep apnea: rationale, design, and significant findings of the Wisconsin Sleep Cohort study. WMJ 2009; 108:246.
