Why Sleep Apnea Should Never Be Ignored
People exercise regularly and eat healthy to keep their hearts healthy. But good sleep is equally important for your overall heart health. A common sleep problem known as sleep apnea can increase the risk of heart disease and other health problems related to metabolism, such as diabetes. The worrying part here is that most people don’t even realize they have it.
Sleep apnea occurs when the muscles in the upper airway relax too much during sleep, blocking airflow. It can cause breathing to stop for 10 seconds or even longer before the body automatically starts breathing again.
Studies show that sleep apnea affects about 3% of people with normal weight. Around 26% of overweight adults have mild sleep apnea, and moderate to severe sleep apnea affects about 20% of overweight men and 10% of overweight women. Among people with obesity, 62% of men and 20% of women have moderate to severe sleep apnea.
What Are The Signs of Sleep Apnea?
Some of the common signs of sleep apnea include loud snoring, pauses in breathing during sleep, daytime fatigue, gasping for air, trouble concentrating, and mood swings. Most people with sleep apnea do not even realize they have it, but their partner usually notices interrupted breathing or loud snoring during the night. There are two main types of sleep apnea.
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea: It happens when airflow is blocked even though the person is trying to breathe.
- Central Sleep Apnea: It is less common and usually occurs when the brain does not send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing.
People with sleep apnea also wake up feeling tired, groggy, or with a dry mouth. The reason is that they usually breathe through their mouth when sleeping. Some people also experience morning headaches caused by low oxygen levels or higher carbon dioxide levels during sleep. When you have severe sleep apnea, it can affect your daily life by increasing the risk of mood changes, daytime sleepiness, poor work performance, and even car accidents.
Common Factors That Can Contribute to Sleep-Related Breathing Problems
Sleep apnea can occur for various reasons. Some risk factors are easy to control, such as smoking or weight gain. However, other factors like family history or age cannot be changed. Both types of sleep apnea have different causes, but some risk factors overlap.
| Risk Factor | Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) | Central Sleep Apnea (CSA) |
| Age | It can happen at any age. Risk increases with age because extra fatty tissue can build up around the neck and tongue. | Aging can affect how the brain controls breathing during sleep. |
| Family History and Genetics | Inherited facial structure or airway shape may increase risk. | Certain inherited conditions can affect breathing control during sleep. |
| Hormone or Endocrine Disorders | Conditions like PCOS, low thyroid hormone levels, or high insulin levels may increase risk. | Hormone changes can affect how the brain controls breathing. |
| Large Tonsils, Neck, or Tongue | These can narrow the airway, making breathing difficult while sleeping. | Usually not a major factor. |
| Heart or Kidney Problems | Fluid buildup in the neck may block the airway. | Conditions like heart failure or stroke can affect the brain’s breathing signals. |
| Lifestyle Habits | Smoking and alcohol can relax throat muscles or cause airway swelling. | Smoking and alcohol can interfere with breathing control during sleep. |
| Obesity | Extra fat around the neck can block the airway during sleep. | Not a major direct cause. Weight can still affect breathing. |
| Opioid Use | Usually not a main cause. | Long-term opioid use can affect the brain’s ability to control breathing. |
| Premature Birth | Not commonly linked. | Babies born early may have breathing problems during sleep. |
| Sex | More common in men than women. | Also more common in men than women. |
How Sleep Apnea Affects Your Overall Health?
Studies show that sleep apnea can increase the risk of serious health problems such as heart attacks, strokes, type 2 diabetes, and even a shorter lifespan. A major reason for the link is obesity. It is very common in people with sleep apnea. Obesity itself also raises the risk of diabetes and heart disease. However, sleep apnea can still affect people who are not obese. Research shows that sleep apnea can increase blood sugar levels and raise the risk of diabetes even without obesity.
If you are overweight or obese, losing weight can help prevent or improve sleep apnea. Extra weight around your tongue, neck, or belly can put pressure on the airways and make it harder to breathe during sleep.
Women should pay special attention as they get older. Before menopause, women usually gain weight around their hips and lower body. After menopause, that weight is likely to accumulate around your abdomen. The change can increase the risk of sleep apnea. That’s why sleep apnea becomes more common in women after menopause.
How To Diagnose and Treat Sleep Apnea
Treating sleep apnea is important because over time, it can seriously affect your health. The damage usually happens slowly and can increase the risk of heart problems, diabetes, high blood pressure, and other health conditions. Doctors check for obstructive sleep apnea using a measurement known as the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI). It measures how many times your breathing stops or becomes very shallow during one hour of sleep.
The condition is usually divided into three levels depending on the AHI scores.
| Severity Level | AHI Score |
| Moderate Sleep Apnea | 15 to 30 breathing pauses per hour |
| Mild Sleep Apnea | 5 to 15 breathing pauses per hour |
| Severe Sleep Apnea | More than 30 breathing pauses per hour |
The type of treatment you need usually depends on the severity of the sleep apnea, your symptoms, and your overall health. For example, if a person has heart disease risk factors, they may need treatment even for mild sleep apnea. The most common treatment is a CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machine. The device usually sends a steady flow of air through a mask worn over the nose when sleeping. The air pressure helps keep the airway open and even prevent breathing pauses during the night.
