Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder that often goes undiagnosed for many years. The main characteristic of this condition is that your breathing repeatedly stops and starts while you're sleeping.
Because it can severely impact your quality of life, overall health, and even life expectancy if it's left untreated, it's important to understand sleep apnea. If you have it, you also have an increased risk of heart disease and stroke, as well as the high blood pressure that comes along with it. However, early diagnosis and effective treatment options can prevent these complications.
In this article, we’ll explore the answers to questions like 'What is sleep apnea?'. as well the causes, symptoms, and available treatments to help you manage this condition and improve your long-term health outcomes.
What is sleep apnea?
In answer to the question, what is sleep apnea? essentially it's a disorder where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep, which disrupts regular airflow. If loud snoring, gasping for air, and daytime fatigue ring a bell for you, it may be time to seek the all-important early diagnosis and treatment plan to prevent serious complications.
Types of sleep apnea
The three main types of sleep apnea include:
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), which results from physical airway blockages, typically from relaxed throat muscles
- Central Sleep Apnea (CSA), which stems from the brain failing to send proper signals to breathe
- Complex Sleep Apnea Syndrome, which is a combination of both OSA and CSA and presents both physical blockage and signalling issues
Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI)
The Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) measures the severity of sleep apnea. It's calculated by the number of apnea (complete breathing pauses) and hypopnoea (partial pauses) episodes per hour of sleep. An AHI score determines if the condition is mild, moderate, or severe, which guides the approach to treatment.
For travellers, (especially those who rely on CPAP machines), knowing your AHI can help you adjust your settings and ensure your treatment remains effective while you're on the move.
Now that we've established an answer to 'What is sleep apnea?', let's take a look at some of the tell-tale signs you're living with this condition.
What are the symptoms of sleep apnea?
As most symptoms occur during sleep, sleep apnea is one of those conditions that often goes undiagnosed for years. However, depending on the type (obstructive, central, or complex), both the daytime and nighttime signs are there, and they can indicate the presence of the disorder.
Daytime symptoms
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Irritability and fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating
- Morning headaches
Nighttime symptoms
- Loud, chronic snoring
- Gasping or choking during sleep
- Restless sleep and frequent waking
Other indicators
- Dry mouth or sore throat upon waking
- Insomnia
- Mood changes
- Decreased libido
If you have a bed partner, they'll often be the one to notice the main symptoms like snoring or gasping. Hopefully, this is enough to prompt you to seek a diagnosis from a medical professional.
The health impacts of sleep apnea
As we've touched on, sleep apnea can have serious consequences for your overall health, particularly if it's left untreated. Here are some impacts it can have on your well-being:
- Sleep apnea significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases, such as high blood pressure, heart attacks, and strokes. The repeated oxygen deprivation strains the heart, worsening existing conditions or creating new ones
- Chronic sleep apnea can lead to depression, memory issues, and cognitive decline due to disrupted sleep and lack of oxygen to the brain during sleep
- Studies show that untreated sleep apnea can reduce life expectancy due to the increased risks of serious conditions
Data on reduced life expectancy for people with untreated sleep apnea
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine reports that untreated sleep apnea increases the risk of death by 17%, due to the health complications that arise both in the short and long term.
How to manage sleep apnea
Now that we’ve answered the question 'what is sleep apnea?', let's take a look at what you can do about it if you're diagnosed:
- Maintaining a healthy weight can reduce the severity of obstructive sleep apnea, as excess weight can cause airway obstruction
- Sleeping on your side rather than your back can help keep the airway open and reduce the frequency of apnea episodes
- Sticking to a consistent sleep routine improves overall sleep quality and may lessen the symptoms of sleep apnea
- Using humidifiers and specialised pillows can reduce dryness and promote a more comfortable sleep position
Incorporating these simple lifestyle adjustments, alongside medical treatment like CPAP therapy, can greatly improve sleep quality and overall health outcomes
What is the newest treatment for sleep apnea?
While CPAP remains the most common treatment for sleep apnea, new advancements are providing alternatives for those who struggle with compliance. Inspire therapy or hypoglossal nerve stimulation, is an innovative technology that stimulates the tongue muscles during sleep to keep airways open, offering relief for those living with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
Oral appliances are also becoming popular for mild to moderate OSA cases. In a nutshell, these custom-made devices reposition the jaw to maintain an open airway. Additionally, minimally invasive surgeries, such as soft palate reduction or nasal airway surgery, provide long-term relief for select patients who prefer alternatives to CPAP therapy. These newer treatments are improving patient compliance and overall quality of life.
'What is sleep apnea?' and related FAQs
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions to unpack this sleep condition, including 'What is sleep apnea?'
What is sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea is a disorder where a person's breathing stops and starts repeatedly during sleep. The most common type, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), occurs when the throat muscles intermittently relax and block the airway.
What happens if you have sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea causes breathing to repeatedly stop during sleep, which leads to poor oxygen intake. As a result, you'll likely experience restless sleep, daytime fatigue, morning headaches, and cognitive issues. Over time, if left untreated, it can increase the risk of serious health conditions like high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.
Can you be cured of sleep apnea?
While there is no guaranteed cure for sleep apnea, it can be effectively managed. Treatments such as CPAP machines, lifestyle changes, and in some cases, surgery, have been proven to significantly reduce or eliminate the symptoms.
What are 4 symptoms of sleep apnea?
The most common symptoms of sleep apnea include:
- Loud snoring
- Gasping for air during sleep
- Daytime fatigue and drowsiness
- Morning headaches or dry mouth
What happens if sleep apnea is left untreated?
If you fail to seek treatment, sleep apnea can lead to long-term health issues, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. It can also contribute to mental health problems like depression and anxiety, and can significantly affect your quality of life.
What is the life expectancy of someone with sleep apnea?
Studies have found that life expectancy can be reduced by as much as 17% for people with untreated sleep apnea. This is due to increased risks of cardiovascular problems and other serious health conditions. With that being said, proper treatment can greatly improve overall health and life expectancy.
What is AHI in sleep apnea?
The AHI (Apnea-Hypopnea Index) measures the severity of sleep apnea by calculating the number of partial and complete breathing pause events per hour of sleep. A higher AHI score indicates more severe sleep apnea.
Final thoughts on sleep apnea
Now that we've covered the ins and outs of this serious sleep disorder, you hopefully have an answer to the popular question, what is sleep apnea? Remember, it can have long-term effects on your health and quality of life if it goes untreated. Early diagnosis and management are so important for preventing any major complications like heart disease and stroke.
With a number of effective treatment options at your disposal, such as CPAP therapy and lifestyle changes, many people can lead long and healthy lives with this condition. Whether you suspect sleep apnea or have already been diagnosed, seeking professional advice and taking advantage of services like sleep studies can make all the difference in your treatment journey.
Did you know that HIF provides coverage for sleep studies, which are essential for diagnosing sleep disorders like sleep apnea? Members with the appropriate Hospital Cover can access benefits for sleep studies, provided they meet the necessary conditions such as holding the correct level of cover, completing waiting periods, and ensuring their membership is current.
If you have any questions, reach out to the friendly HIF team today. And, if you've enjoyed this deep dive into 'What is sleep apnea?', we have plenty of other resources in our Health Hub that may interest you.
Please note: Kirsty's blog is general advice only. For further information on this topic please consult your healthcare professional.