Consider this situation: You do not seem to have trouble sleeping or maintaining a strict sleep routine. You get the recommended eight hours, avoid screens before bed, and maintain ideal sleep hygiene.
However, no matter how much you sleep, you do not seem to get any real rest. You slog through your days, exhausted and irritated. You are less productive at work and less attentive at home. Even your family is frustrated because, apparently, your snoring is keeping your partner up at night.
If any of these symptoms sound familiar, you are not alone. Millions of Americans suffer from issues caused by sleep apnea, a sleeping disorder affecting growing numbers of women, men, and even children.
Sleep apnea can be tricky to diagnose, but it can lead to a significant reduction in health and well-being. However, as awareness of the disorder has increased, both treatments and lifestyle adjustments are available to ease its effects.
What Is Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition in which the muscles in the back of the throat relax during sleep, fully or partially blocking the airway. Central sleep apnea occurs when the brain does not send the proper signals to control your breathing.
Symptoms for sleep apnea include loud snoring, insomnia, hypersomnia (excessive daytime exhaustion), and even episodes where you stop breathing when you sleep.
Sleep apnea develops due to a multitude of causes. Genetics certainly plays a role, since the issue can be inherited. Sex can also contribute, since men are far more likely to have and/or develop sleep apnea than women.
Lifestyle choices also play a significant role both in the development and the severity of sleep apnea. Factors like drinking and smoking cause excessive relaxation of the throat muscles and the inflammation of the airway. Obesity is also a leading factor in the development of obstructive sleep apnea, since excess fat deposits in the neck can block the upper airway.
Children can also suffer from obstructive sleep apnea, which is generally caused by enlarged tonsils or adenoids. It can also appear in a child with a small jaw or an overbite or a patient dealing with Down syndrome or Pierre-Robin syndrome. Similar to adult patients, lifestyle factors can play a part, such as childhood obesity or an environment where secondhand smoke is common. Researchers are increasingly concerned sleep apnea will affect more children due to the rising rates of childhood obesity.
The Effects of Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea can contribute to and exacerbate serious health conditions. The consistent strain placed on the body due to a lack of oxygen can lead to higher risks of cardiovascular issues like heart disease, heart failure, and hypertension. Additionally, it can exacerbate diseases like type 2 diabetes and can lead to an increased risk of strokes.
Sleep apnea can also cause to issues in day-to-day living. Hypersomnia, or “daytime sleepiness,” results in decreased concentration and productivity in adults, and, in children, can lead to hyperactivity, mood disorders, and disruptive behavior. Studies published by the National Library of Medicine have noted the correlation between sleep apnea and increased risk of car accidents due to exhaustion and resulting poor reflexes brought on by inadequate sleep.
Finally, it contributes to overall poor sleep quality, which can contribute to a weakened immune system, increased stress, and anxiety and depression.
Treatment For Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is diagnosed through a sleep study, which examines oxygen levels, heart rate, and breathing to determine an apnea-hypopnea score which is used to determine the presence and severity of sleep apnea.
Treatment can include lifestyle interventions including sleep position, weight loss, and regular physical activity. Additionally, a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine is utilized to provide continuous pressure to keep the upper airway open. A mask provides continuous pressure to keep the upper airway open. Use of a CPAP machine improves blood pressure, mental clarity, mood, and a reduction in snoring.
Final Thoughts
While sometimes dismissed as a mere inconvenience, sleep apnea and its symptoms should not be ignored. What may be just an inconvenience can lead to systemic health problems.
If you know you are dealing with symptoms that could be related to sleep apnea, asking your doctor about sleep apnea or participating in a sleep study has the potential to greatly improve both immediate and long-term health and well-being. Rockwell Physicians offers at-home sleep studies for patients exhibiting symptoms of sleep apnea to determine the appropriate treatment.
So, the next time your partner complains about your midnight snoring, contact us so we can help you get back to the sleep you deserve.