Imagine waking up feeling exhausted, even after a full night’s sleep. Maybe you snore, or you find yourself nodding off during the day. Although you might brush it off as just a bad night’s rest, but it could be something more serious. What if it’s sleep apnea? More importantly, can sleep apnea kill you?
If you find yourself waking up tired each morning after seemingly sleeping all night, make an appointment with an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist. They may refer you to a sleep medicine provider for treatment if they diagnose you with sleep apnea or rule out other ENT conditions as the cause.
What is sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea is a condition that causes repeated interruptions in breathing while you sleep. These pauses can last a few seconds to a minute and may happen dozens or even hundreds of times per night. These interruptions can lead to lower oxygen levels and a range of symptoms that include snoring, daytime sleepiness and difficulty concentrating.
Two main types of sleep apnea exist:
- Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA): The most common form, where the muscles in your throat relax too much, blocking your upper airway.
- Central sleep apnea: A less common type where your brain doesn’t send the right signals to the muscles that control breathing.
Regardless of the type of sleep apnea you have, the results are the same: poor sleep, low oxygen levels and serious health problems over time.
Hidden dangers of sleep apnea
So, can sleep apnea kill you? While sleep apnea itself may not directly cause death, it dramatically increases your risk for deadly conditions, especially cardiovascular disease, heart attacks and high blood pressure.
Heart disease and high blood pressure
When your breathing stops while you sleep as a result of sleep apnea, your body panics. Your oxygen drops, your heart rate fluctuates and your blood pressure spikes.
Over time, this leads to heart disease, a leading cause of death worldwide. Studies show that untreated obstructive sleep apnea raises the risk of fatal heart attacks and strokes.
Dangerous daytime sleepiness
People with sleep apnea often struggle with daytime sleepiness, making them more likely to have accidents while driving or at work.
In fact, untreated OSA can make you up to five times more likely to get into a car crash.
Oxygen deprivation and organ damage
When your breathing stops repeatedly throughout the night, your organs don’t get the oxygen they need. This can lead to long-term damage to the brain, heart and other vital systems.
Over time, untreated sleep apnea contributes to memory loss, reduced cognitive function and even an increased risk of dementia.
Other health conditions
Sleep apnea comes with additional risk factors. Other conditions that sleep apnea can cause include:
- Diabetes: Sleep apnea can worsen insulin resistance and increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
- Obesity: Sleep apnea and obesity often go hand-in-hand. Obesity further increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and other health problems.
- Depression and anxiety: Sleep deprivation and fatigue associated with sleep apnea can contribute to mental health issues.
How to know if you have sleep apnea
Although many people have symptoms of sleep apnea, they may not realize they have it. Often, someone who sleeps in the same room or bed first notices the symptoms. Here are some signs to watch for:
- Loud snoring
- Gasping or choking while asleep
- Morning headaches
- Waking up feeling unrefreshed
- Daytime sleepiness or difficulty concentrating
- Mood changes, such as irritability or depression
If any of these sound familiar, it’s time to take action. The best way to diagnose sleep apnea is through a sleep study, which monitors your breathing, oxygen levels and sleep patterns.
Treating sleep apnea
The good news is that sleep apnea is treatable. One of the most effective treatments is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy. A CPAP machine keeps your airway open by delivering a gentle flow of air while you sleep.
Many people find that using positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy dramatically improves their sleep quality and overall health.
Other treatment options include:
- Lifestyle changes: Losing weight, quitting smoking and avoiding alcohol can reduce symptoms.
- Oral appliances: Special mouthpieces keep your upper airway open.
- Surgery: In severe cases, you may need surgery to remove obstructions in the throat.
How we can help
If you’re experiencing symptoms of sleep apnea, it’s important to talk to your doctor. Make an appointment with an ENT specialist, who will ask you about your symptoms. They may refer you to a sleep medicine specialist who may suggest a sleep study to better understand your condition.
Learn about the ear, nose and throat services as well as sleep medicine services we offer at Bon Secours.
