As you can probably guess, severe sleep apnea presents greater risks to your health. Common comorbidities such as diabetes and heart disease are connected to severe apnea. But more alarmingly, some recent studies have shown that people with severe obstructive sleep apnea may be at much greater risk for fatal events such as cancer.
Specifically, severe sleep apnea sufferers may be five times more likely to die of cancer according to research published last year.
That study supports earlier findings that severe sleep apnea increased the risk of death. For that reason, they often only find out about the issue from a bed partner, family member, or roommate.
Excessive daytime sleepiness is the most likely symptom to be noticed by people with sleep apnea that live alone. Multiple factors have been found to increase the risk of blockage and OSA:. Instead of an obstruction causing breathing lapses, the problem arises in how the brain communicates with the muscles responsible for respiration.
In particular, the brain stem fails to adequately perceive the levels of carbon dioxide in the body, leading to breathing that is slower and shallower than it should be. CSA is typically connected to an underlying medical condition. For example, a stroke, infection of the brain, or in rare cases a brain tumor may damage the brain stem. Pain medicines like opioids can also interfere with this normal process of breathing.
Sleep apnea can lead to sleep deprivation from constant nightly interruptions and shallower overall sleep. Lack of sleep is associated with far-reaching health consequences that affect a person physically, mentally, and emotionally, and as a result, it comes as no surprise that sleep apnea has been tied to diverse health problems.
Because of how it affects oxygen balance in the body, untreated sleep apnea raises dangers for various types of cardiovascular issues including high blood pressure, heart attack, heart disease , and stroke.
If you have symptoms of sleep apnea, you should make sure to talk with a doctor. Without understanding the root causes of your sleep apnea, it is difficult to treat. When necessary, the doctor can recommend an overnight sleep study to analyze your sleep, including your breathing.
If a person is diagnosed with OSA or CSA, treatment is often effective at improving sleep and reducing the risks of long-term health complications. Lifestyle changes, such as losing weight , reducing use of sedatives, and sleeping on your side, can resolve some cases of OSA. These devices push air through a mask and into the airway to keep it open during sleep. Some types of mouthpieces that hold the jaw or tongue in a specific position are an option for people with certain anatomical features that trigger mild OSA.
In addition, though usually not the first treatment option, surgery to remove tissue and expand the airway can be considered. Medications may be prescribed to help with daytime sleepiness in people with this symptom.
Treatment for CSA typically centers on managing the underlying condition, such as a brain infection, heart failure, or altitude adjustment, that causes disordered breathing. Eric Suni has over a decade of experience as a science writer and was previously an information specialist for the National Cancer Institute.
Gould has practiced dentistry since and specializes in treating obstructive sleep apnea. He is the founder of the Sleep Restoration Program. Learn why this may be better for…. Sleep apnea headaches are a type of morning headache common in people with obstructive sleep apnea. Learn more about what…. An actigraphy device tracks your movements so your doctor can analyze your sleep patterns.
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Sleep Apnea What it is, its risk factors, its health impacts, and how it can be treated. Updated July 9, Written by Eric Suni. Medically Reviewed by Joel Gould. How Common Is Sleep Apnea? What Are the Symptoms of Sleep Apnea? What Are the Causes of Sleep Apnea? What Are the Treatments for Sleep Apnea? What Are the Types of Sleep Apnea? You might not even know you have this very common problem. Sleep apnea occurs in about 3 percent of normal weight individuals but affects over 20 percent of obese people, Jun says.
In general, sleep apnea affects men more than women. However, sleep apnea rates increase sharply in women after menopause. Sleep apnea is often linked to heart disease and metabolic issues like diabetes. There are two kinds of sleep apnea : obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea.
Central sleep apnea happens when the brain fails to send the right signals to your muscles to make you start breathing. This type is less common. Snoring is just the vibration sound created by airway resistance. You can snore loudly and not have sleep apnea, and you may even have sleep apnea without much snoring. People with sleep apnea might also suffer from unexplained fatigue and mood swings, because their breathing interruptions continually wake them and prevent them from settling into a deep, nourishing sleep.
The consequences can be significant, Jun says. Other sufferers might wake up with a dry mouth, since sleep apnea tends to make you breathe with an open mouth, drying out your saliva. Some awaken with a headache, which may be caused by low oxygen or high carbon dioxide levels during sleep.
There are many studies showing that losing weight can either completely cure you of sleep apnea or at least make it less severe," Jun says. Several studies have shown an association between sleep apnea and problems like type 2 diabetes , strokes , heart attacks and even a shortened lifespan, says Jun.
Why this connection?
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