Research shows that 20% of the population is affected by sleep apnea, and out of those, 85% of them don’t know they have it. This is because a lot of the symptoms of sleep apnea are common and very general. The underdiagnosis of sleep apnea is a problem because some serious issues can arise from it. So, what things should you look out for when it comes to sleep apnea? Well, keep reading to find out!
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a disorder where breathing during sleep happens sporadically and repeatedly stops and starts. The main symptoms of sleep apnea are snoring and waking up tired, even if you have gotten a full night’s sleep.
There are three main types of sleep apnea, and they are:
- Obstructive sleep apnea – this is the most common form of sleep apnea, and it happens when something obstructs the airflow causing sleep apnea episodes.
- Central sleep apnea – this type of sleep apnea happens when the brain fails to send the right signals to the muscles that control breathing, which causes breathing to stop during the night.
- Treatment-emergent central sleep apnea – also known as complex sleep apnea- happens when someone with obstructive sleep apnea, that has been diagnosed through a polysomnography (a sleep study), has a switch to central sleep apnea after receiving treatment for the obstructive sleep apnea.
Symptoms of Sleep Apnea and When to Seek Treatment
Apart from snoring, there are other symptoms that will help your doctor diagnose you with sleep apnea and send you for polysomnography so that you can get the treatment you need. The symptoms of obstructive and central sleep apnea can be very similar, which can make it difficult to diagnose which type you have. But here are some of the most common symptoms of both types of sleep apnea:
- Difficulty staying asleep, known as insomnia.
- Gasping for air during sleep.
- Excessive daytime sleepiness, known as hypersomnia.
- Awakening with a dry mouth.
- Episodes in which you stop breathing during sleep – which another person would report.
- Irritability.
- Morning headache.
- Difficulty paying attention while awake.
So when should you be concerned and seek treatment? If you or a member of your family, especially your children if you have them, are snoring very loudly, and if you notice they stop breathing during the night, it may be a good idea to talk to your doctor. On the other hand, breathing irregularities are expected to occur when you sleep. The problem is when they are too frequent.
So, if you are looking for a doctor to help you with a sleep apnea treatment in Houston you should talk to your primary physician first and then set up an appointment.
Major Health Risks if Sleep Apnea Is Left Untreated
There are many areas of your health that can be impacted by sleep apnea, so let’s take a look at them.
Heart Problems
- High blood pressure – sleep apnea can cause a lot of strain on your cardiovascular system. The constant dips in oxygen throughout the night can cause your blood pressure to go up and cause hypertension. This is a significant factor that needs to be taken seriously because it can lead to heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure.
- Heart disease and stroke – leaving your sleep apnea untreated can increase the risk of heart attack, heart failure, and stroke. This is caused by the constant lack of oxygen that puts stress on your system and damages the heart and blood vessels. Getting proper treatment will significantly help your cardiovascular health.
Neurological Issues
- Impaired cognitive function – like with cardiovascular health, sleep apnea deprives the brain of oxygen, which can negatively affect your mental sharpness. This means that sleep apnea can lead to difficulties with memory, focus, decision-making, and overall cognitive abilities.
- Mood swings – Sleep apnea disrupts mood regulation, raising the risk of depression and anxiety. This worsens your quality of life, strains relationships, and creates a harmful cycle.
Metabolic Disorders
- Diabetes – having sleep apnea increases your risk of developing diabetes because it dysregulates the mechanisms that control your blood sugar levels. Which will make your body less sensitive to insulin and increase your risk of type 2 diabetes.
- Weight fluctuations – because sleep apnea disrupts your circadian rhythm, it also impacts the hormones that control hunger and appetite. This can lead to weight gain, which can worsen your sleep apnea
.
Problems With Breathing
- Asthma – if you have asthma, untreated sleep apnea can make it much harder to manage. Disrupted sleep, low oxygen levels, and airway inflammation can aggravate asthma symptoms.
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) – having sleep apnea often overlaps with conditions like COPD, and when you receive treatment for sleep apnea, it can often help the management of COPD.
Problems That Can Arise Outside of Your Physical Health
While physical health issues are something you should definitely prioritize, there are things beyond that that will be affected if you have sleep apnea. So, let’s take a look at what those things can be.
Day to Day Life
Being chronically sleep-deprived will take a serious toll on your mental health because of this your work and ability to focus will suffer. Worse than this, being fatigued and not getting enough sleep from sleep apnea can lead to danger when driving that can potentially lead to safety risks to you and others.
Relationship Problems
As we said above, in neurological problems, sleep apnea often causes irritability and short temper due to sleep deprivation and straining relationships. Mood swings are symptoms, not a reflection of how you really feel. Also, loud snoring can sometimes wake up and disrupt your partner’s sleep, which can lead, in some cases, to frustration and resentment. Sleep apnea also causes exhaustion and lowers libido, further affecting intimacy.
Financial Strain
Dealing with sleep apnea can be quite expensive; there are many appointments to go to, including a sleep study. That is not taking into account what medications and treatments you will need for conditions that may develop because you have sleep apnea. Not to mention that because of it, you may have to miss work some days, and depending on your job provider, you may have difficulties holding down a job because of symptoms like fatigue and exhaustion due to irregular sleep patterns. This will add additional stress to an already stressful situation.
