By zp7op| Contributor
Snoring all night long. Gasping for air unexpectedly during sleep. Waking up feeling drained after what should have been a full night’s rest. These aren’t merely indicators of a bad sleep experience – they could signify obstructive sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder marked by repeated airway blockages while sleeping. The majority of individuals suffering from sleep apnea are unaware of their condition – in fact, research published in the American Journal of Epidemiology indicates that around 80% of people with sleep apnea in the United States remain undiagnosed.
Experts from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) suggest that adults should aim for a minimum of seven hours of uninterrupted sleep each night. Unfortunately, untreated sleep apnea can make achieving healthy, restful sleep quite difficult. When the airway closes off or gets obstructed during slumber, it leads to brief awakenings – often accompanied by loud snoring or gasping for breath – as the body struggles to clear the airway.
Neglecting to treat sleep apnea can lead to serious long-term health issues like hypertension, heart disease, stroke, Type 2 diabetes, and depression. Additionally, it can degrade overall quality of life, manifesting through changes in mood, diminished work performance, challenges in concentration and decision-making, and an increased risk of traffic accidents due to excessive drowsiness.
The disorder can also have repercussions on your family and relationships; the snoring and sleep disturbances associated with sleep apnea can disrupt your partner’s sleep and influence interactions with others, ultimately affecting decision-making processes. Consider reviewing this additional information about sleep apnea from Count on Sleep, a collaborative awareness initiative led by the AASM.
Signs and symptoms of OSA:
- Snoring or loud, irregular breathing
- Episodes of breath cessation during sleep
- Awakening suddenly while gasping or choking
- Restless sleep or waking up feeling fatigued and groggy despite a full night’s rest
- Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep (insomnia)
- Frequent nighttime awakenings to use the restroom
- Morning headaches
- Persistent daytime sleepiness or inclination to fall asleep
- Issues with memory or concentration
- Mood swings or increased irritability
- Risk of falling asleep while driving
Risk factors for OSA:
- Being overweight or obese (BMI over 30)
- Suffering from high blood pressure
- Having a neck size greater than 17 inches for men or 16 inches for women
- Experiencing coronary artery disease or a prior heart attack
- Having atrial fibrillation or other heart rhythm issues
- Diagnosed with congestive heart failure
- Having Type 2 diabetes
- Previous stroke
- Regular daytime drowsiness
If you suspect that you may have undiagnosed sleep apnea, discuss your symptoms, risk factors, and concerns with your healthcare provider. Encourage friends or family members who show these symptoms to seek medical advice.
Your doctor might perform a screening or testing for sleep apnea, which could involve an at-home sleep test or a sleep study at a certified sleep clinic. If diagnosed, treatment alternatives may include continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, a mouthpiece, surgical options, or adjustments to lifestyle.
Discover more about how sleep apnea can impact your health and take a brief quiz to check if you might be at risk at countonsleep.org.
Photo courtesy of Shutterstock
Editor’s Note: This content is not meant to serve as a replacement for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and should not be considered as professional medical counsel.
