About 22 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea. Sadly, 80% of severe cases are not found1. This disorder stops your breathing repeatedly when you sleep. This can cause loud snoring, feeling very tired in the day, and many health problems. It’s key to know the signs of sleep apnea and get the right help to manage it and avoid more health issues.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is the most common type. It affects nearly 4% of men and 2% of women1. Being overweight is a big risk factor; about 70% of those with OSA are overweight or obese1. Smokers and those with bigger necks also have a higher risk1. Not treating sleep apnea can cause serious heart issues and high blood pressure.
Understanding Sleep Apnea: Types and Causes
Sleep apnea is a serious problem that impacts many people everywhere. It’s key to know the different kinds and causes. This helps in managing and treating it well.
Types of Sleep Apnea
There are three main types: Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), Central Sleep Apnea (CSA), and Treatment-emergent Central Sleep Apnea.
OSA is the most common, seen in millions around the world. It happens when throat muscles relax too much during sleep, blocking the airway23. This causes pauses in breathing seen in loud snorers3. About 25 million adults in the US have it2.
CSA is rarer and happens when the brain does not send the right signals for breathing23. It’s linked to issues like heart problems and certain medicines like opioids23. Treatment-emergent CSA occurs in some people being treated for OSA who then start showing CSA symptoms2.
Causes of Sleep Apnea
OSA causes include things like obesity and genetics that make the airway narrow. Smoking, drinking, and some medical conditions like hypothyroidism play a role too23.
CSA’s causes relate to problems with the brain and muscles. Heart failure, strokes, and opioids are some reasons23. Idiopathic CSA has no clear cause, making it tough to diagnose and treat3.
To treat sleep apnea well, we need to know the specific type and causes. This lets doctors choose the best treatment, like CPAP, lifestyle changes, or fixing underlying health issues.
Common Sleep Apnea Symptoms
Knowing sleep apnea symptoms is key to getting help. These signs might overlap and are hard to pinpoint. They include loud snoring, breathing stops, and feeling very tired during the day. It’s important to get a proper diagnosis. This helps in getting the right treatment and making life better.
Loud Snoring
Loud snoring means the airway is not fully open. It is a common sign of sleep apnea. This sign tells people they might have sleep apnea and should see a doctor. Loud snoring with feeling sleepy in the day should make you think about getting checkedsymptoms4.
Episodes of Stopped Breathing
Not breathing while asleep is a big sign of sleep apnea. Usually, someone else will notice this. It happens when the airway is totally blocked. This can make you wake up needing air. It ruins your sleep and makes you feel tired during the day. If this happens to you, seeing a doctor is very important5.
Daytime Sleepiness
Feeling very tired during the day is a sign of sleep apnea. It comes from not sleeping well because of snoring and not breathing right. Your body doesn’t get the rest it needs. This makes you feel too sleepy in the daytime5. If you feel this way, you might need a sleep study. This can help find out if you have sleep apnea and the best way to treat it.
Diagnosing Sleep Apnea
Doctors diagnose sleep apnea with special medical exams. These include tests like sleep studies and checking the throat. People who snore loudly, wake up a lot at night, and feel very tired during the day might have sleep apnea.
To be sure someone has sleep apnea, doctors look at the symptoms and test results. One important test is called polysomnography (PSG).It records sleep issues to see how serious the sleep apnea is6. In-lab sleep tests can be expensive, over $3,000, but at-home tests cost about $1896.
Medical Examinations
To diagnose sleep apnea, a full check-up and a sleep study are needed. A test called a polysomnogram (PSG) is used in about 70% of cases.During this test, doctors look at REM sleep, which is important for thinking7
The PSG test is done in a lab. It measures things like how often breathing stops.Not treating sleep apnea can lead to heart problems, raising the risk by 30-50%6.
At-home sleep tests are also effective, being 98% accurate. These tests are less expensive and convenient. After a sleep study, the full report with advice is given in 1 to 3 months7.
People who might have sleep apnea should get checked early. Getting the right treatment is key. Make sure to talk to a doctor and check this disclaimer for proper advice.
Risk Factors Associated with Sleep Apnea
It’s important to know what leads to sleep apnea to catch it early. Certain things raise the chance of getting *obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)* and *central sleep apnea (CSA)*.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea Risk Factors
Many things can increase your risk of obstructive sleep apnea. Being overweight is a big one. It can make it hard to breathe at night. For example, people with OSA had an average BMI of 25.7. This is more than those without OSA who had a BMI of 21.68. If your neck is larger than 17 inches for men and 16 inches for women, your risk goes up9. Other obstructive sleep apnea risk factors are smoking and drinking alcohol.
Who gets sleep apnea can also depend on being a man or a woman. More men get OSA than women. A study found 77.2% of those with OSA were men8. Being older than 40 also raises your risk. Nearly 60% of OSA patients suffer from *positional obstructive sleep apnea (POSA)8*.
Central Sleep Apnea Risk Factors
CSA risk factors are different. They often tie back to health issues and getting older. CSA is mostly found in older men. Heart problems and strokes can also make it more likely9. As you get older, the risk for CSA goes up, especially if you have serious health problems.
So, knowing the risk factors for both *obstructive and central sleep apnea* helps. By understanding things like weight and neck size for OSA, and health and age for CSA, we can prevent them better.
Health Complications Resulting from Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is serious and can lead to many health issues. Knowing the risks helps us act early and manage them.
Daytime Fatigue and Drowsiness
Sleep apnea often causes daytime fatigue. It interrupts sleep, making people feel tired all day. This tiredness affects daily life and work.
People with sleep apnea can feel three times more sad than others10. They also cause a huge loss in money for healthcare and work in the U.S11.
Cardiovascular Issues
Heart problems from sleep apnea are a big worry. It can increase heart disease risk by 30%11. Those with sleep apnea also face a higher risk of high blood pressure and heart attacks.
OSA can make high blood pressure and heart failure more likely10. The danger of stroke can go up by 2 to 4 times for those with sleep apnea11. It’s important to deal with these problems early. CPAP therapy helps by making you more awake in the day and reducing blood pressure12.
For tips on being your healthiest, check out HealthFitnessScience.com. This site shares new studies, expert tips, and custom plans for your health journey.
Effective Sleep Apnea Treatments
Treating sleep apnea well is all about what each person needs. We will look at many ways to treat sleep apnea. These range from using machines to help breathe to different surgeries.
CPAP Therapy
CPAP therapy is best for serious sleep apnea. It sends air to keep breathing paths open while sleeping. CPAP helps lower daytime sleepiness by a lot in those who use it13. It’s really good at cutting down sleep apnea events13. But, only some people find it comfy to use13.
For better comfort, there are devices that can change pressure as needed13. If CPAP isn’t working, doctors might suggest BPAP machines. These can adjust pressure during use13.
Oral Appliances
Oral devices are another choice for those with mild sleep apnea. Or for those who don’t like CPAP. These tools help by moving the jaw or tongue to open the airway. They work well if they fit right and are used often13. A popular choice is the MAS, which helps keep the airway open14.
Surgery Options
Some surgeries can help when other treatments don’t work. UPPP can lower symptoms by a lot13. Upper airway stimulation can also make a big difference for those who can’t use CPAP13. Tracheostomy is a last choice but very effective for serious cases13. Picking a surgery depends on personal health and how bad symptoms are.
If you want to learn more about sleep apnea, how to know if you have it, and ways to treat it, there’s a great guide at Mayo Clinic13.
Lifestyle Changes to Mitigate Sleep Apnea
Lifestyle changes are crucial in managing sleep apnea. Focusing on weight and how you sleep can help a lot. These changes can make a big difference for those who have sleep apnea.
Weight Management
Managing weight is key when you have sleep apnea. Being overweight can block your airway15. Losing a little weight can help avoid surgery or the need for a CPAP machine16. Activities like walking or swimming for 30 minutes, 5 days a week, are good for you15.
Too much weight can make tissues in your throat block your airway17. Losing even a bit of weight can greatly improve your sleep apnea17.
Positional Therapy
Positional therapy changes how you sleep to reduce symptoms. Sleeping on your side instead of your back can help you breathe better16. This easy change can really improve your sleep.
Changing your position often can also help, especially when using a CPAP machine15. Trying to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day is beneficial too. You’ll notice the change in about a month17.
Conclusion
It’s very important to take care of sleep apnea for good health. Knowing the signs and risks helps. Effective treatments improve sleep and lower health dangers. Sleep apnea is common, hitting 3% to 7% of men and 2% to 5% of women18. Without treatment, it leads to big health troubles like heart problems18. In fact, it can make heart failure chances go up 2.5 times18. So, talking to doctors for the right treatments is key.
Treating sleep apnea means using medical tools and changing lifestyles. Tools like CPAP machines, mouth devices, and surgery help a lot19. Making healthy life choices also boosts sleep health1920. Since OSA can run in families, it’s smart for relatives to watch out18. Working together with doctors is important for the best care.
Dealing with sleep apnea makes sleep better and cuts down other health risks. It also helps you live longer. If you snore loudly, stop breathing at night, or feel very sleepy during the day, see a doctor. Starting treatment early leads to better health. Check out The National Center for Biotechnology Information and Health Fitness Science for more info1819.
Source Links
- Sleep apnea – Symptoms and causes – https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sleep-apnea/symptoms-causes/syc-20377631
- Sleep Apnea Basics – https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/sleep-apnea/sleep-apnea
- Exploring Different Types of Sleep Apnea: A Guide – https://www.sleepva.com/the-different-types-of-sleep-apnea
- Sleep Apnea: What It Is, Causes, Symptoms & Treatment – https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/8718-sleep-apnea
- Sleep Apnea – https://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleep-apnea
- Diagnosing Sleep Apnea | SleepApnea.org – https://www.sleepapnea.org/diagnosis/?srsltid=AfmBOoqSCs_6LyWq8Sx1s9Al6SdBXJwIpBFT1I_xIt2kQdTrK90204e0
- Tests for Diagnosing Sleep Apnea – https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/sleep-apnea/diagnosing-sleep-apnea
- Risk factors associated with the severity of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome among adults – Scientific Reports – https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-70286-6
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea – https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/obstructive-sleep-apnea
- Causes Complications of Sleep Apnea – https://fortworthent.net/ear-nose-throat/snoring-obstructive-sleep-apnea-osa/sleep-medicine-snoring-or-sleep-apnea/causes-complications-of-sleep-apnea/
- The Effects of Sleep Apnea on the Body – https://www.healthline.com/health/sleep-apnea/effects-on-body
- The Dangers of Uncontrolled Sleep Apnea – https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/the-dangers-of-uncontrolled-sleep-apnea
- Obstructive sleep apnea – Diagnosis and treatment – https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/obstructive-sleep-apnea/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20352095
- Sleep Apnea Treatment – https://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleep-apnea/treatment
- Lifestyle Changes to Manage Sleep Apnea – https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/sleep-apnea/features/lifestyle-changes-sleep-apnea
- 6 Home Remedies for Sleep Apnea – https://www.healthline.com/health/home-remedies-for-sleep-apnea
- 8 Sleep Apnea Lifestyle Changes – https://chicagoent.com/sleep-apnea/sleep-apnea-lifestyle/
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): Practice Essentials, Background, Pathophysiology – https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/295807-overview
- Sleep Apnea | MedlinePlus – https://medlineplus.gov/sleepapnea.html
- Clinical presentation and diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea in adults – https://www.uptodate.com/contents/clinical-presentation-and-diagnosis-of-obstructive-sleep-apnea-in-adults