Sleep apnea symptoms shouldn’t be ignored

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Do you (or your partner) snore loudly at night? Or wake up gasping for air? Do you feel sleepy or moody during the day or have trouble concentrating? These are all signs of obstructive sleep apnea, a common sleep disorder. It’s a serious condition that can lead to long-term health problems. While the day-to-day symptoms may seem manageable, a chronic lack of good sleep can take a toll on the body.

Throat and tongue relax during sleep

When people sleep, the muscles of the upper airway relax, which can cause the tissue in the back of the throat to collapse. Back-sleeping can worsen the situation because gravity encourages the tongue to fall back into the airway. This can narrow or completely block the airway, reducing the amount of air reaching the lungs. As a result, breathing may stop a few times to several hundred times a night.

Overall health takes a hit

These pauses in breathing lead to a variety of health problems. In addition to the issues above, obstructive sleep apnea can cause headaches, insomnia, frequent urination at night, memory problems, and depression. Car crashes are two to three times more common among patients with untreated obstructive sleep apnea than those patients without the disease.

Long-term, the condition can cause high blood pressure, heart rhythm problems, obesity, heart disease, stroke, prediabetes, and diabetes. In other words, if sleep apnea is suspected, it’s worth getting evaluated.

Men most at risk

Men are twice as likely as women to be diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea. Being overweight—a BMI of 25 or higher—is also a risk factor. The more overweight an individual is, the higher their risk. Family history can also play a role, either because of inherited traits or shared lifestyle choices. Age (40-plus for men and 50-plus for women) and neck size also have an impact. A large neck has more tissue that can block the airway. Finally, smoking tobacco also increases patients’ risk.



Testing available in the lab, home

Two different types of sleep testing can diagnose obstructive sleep apnea. A polysomnography is the most detailed and accurate test. It requires patients to spend the night at a sleep center. A polysomnography also tests for other sleep disorders besides sleep apnea. As its name implies, a home sleep test occurs at home. This is a more convenient option, but not as accurate. A home sleep test checks for sleep apnea only.

Solutions abound

It’s not uncommon for patients to put off getting tested for obstructive sleep apnea because they don’t want to deal with the treatment. And it’s true, the best treatment is a CPAP machine. A CPAP machine sends a steady stream of air through a hose and to a mask, keeping the wearer’s airway open at night. However, it’s important to note that patients have help and support from their care team when it comes to finding the right mask and getting comfortable wearing it. It’s almost always possible to troubleshoot issues and help patients start sleeping safely and well.

There are many other options as well. A mandibular advancement device slides the jaw forward to prevent the airway from collapsing. Weight management, surgery, lifestyle changes (quitting smoking and alcohol), and positional therapy (sleeping on one’s side) are also choices. Inspire® Upper Airway Stimulation, a newer option involves implanting an electrical device into the tongue. Gentle stimulation to key muscles keeps airways open during the night.

If you notice that your spouse is exhibiting symptoms of sleep apnea, or if you think you might be experiencing symptoms, ask a primary care provider for a referral to a sleep specialist. Sleep is vital to our health, and any concerns should be addressed as soon as possible.

Mary Junkin is a physician assistant in Vancouver Clinic’s Sleep Medicine Department. She enjoys educating patients about their condition and counseling individuals adapting to using a CPAP machine.