360-547-7586

Contact Us

360-547-7586

What is Sleep Apnea?

Explore what sleep apnea is
Schedule an Appointment
360-547-7586

Medical Insurance Accepted!

Medicare

United Health Care

Humana

Humana

What is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a prevalent yet often undiagnosed sleep disorder involving repeated interruptions in breathing during sleep. These interruptions, known as apneas, occur when the muscles in the throat relax too much, causing the airway to become partially or entirely blocked. As a result, breathing may pause or become shallow, leading to oxygen deprivation and disrupting the natural sleep cycle.

Types of Sleep Apnea

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA):

This form of sleep apnea is the most common and occurs when the muscles in the throat relax excessively during sleep, leading to a partial or complete airway blockage.

Central Sleep Apnea (CSA):

Unlike OSA, CSA occurs when the brain fails to signal the muscles responsible for breathing, resulting in periods of halted breathing during sleep.

Mixed Sleep Apnea:

This type combines characteristics of both OSA and CSA, presenting unique challenges in diagnosis and treatment.

While all forms of sleep apnea are slightly different, they are serious and should be treated by an expert.

Schedule an Appointment

Who is Most Likely to Have Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)?

OSA can affect individuals of all ages, but certain factors can increase the risk:

Obesity: Excess weight can create more fatty tissue around the neck, obstructing the airway during sleep.

Age: The risk of OSA tends to increase with age, particularly after age 40.

Gender: Men are more likely to experience OSA than women, although the risk for women increases after menopause.

Family History: A family history of OSA can predispose people to the condition.

Can Children Have OSA?

Yes, OSA can also affect children, although the symptoms may differ from those observed in adults. Enlarged tonsils and adenoids are a common cause of OSA in small children. Other contributing factors may include obesity, allergies, craniofacial abnormalities, and family history.

Sleep Apnea Symptoms

Most people know that snoring is often a sign of sleep apnea, but there are also less obvious signs. Symptoms you might think are just part of daily life may signal sleep apnea.

Schedule an Appointment

Sleep Apnea Symptoms in Adults

Loud Snoring: Persistent and disruptive snoring is often a prominent symptom of sleep apnea, particularly in individuals with obstructive sleep apnea.

Gasping or Choking: Episodes of gasping or choking during sleep may indicate stopped breathing, prompting the body to awaken briefly to resume normal breathing.

Excessive Daytime Sleepiness: Despite spending a seemingly adequate amount of time in bed, individuals with sleep apnea often experience persistent daytime fatigue and drowsiness.

Morning Headaches: Waking up with headaches, particularly in the morning, can indicate disrupted sleep patterns associated with sleep apnea.

Irritability or Mood Changes: Sleep deprivation resulting from untreated sleep apnea can lead to irritability, mood swings, and difficulty concentrating.

Sleep Apnea Symptoms in Children

Snoring: While snoring is common in children, persistent and loud snoring may indicate obstructive sleep apnea.

Restless Sleep: Children with sleep apnea may exhibit restless sleep patterns, including frequent tossing and turning or awakening at night.

Bedwetting: Bed-wetting past the age of five years, particularly in combination with other symptoms, may signal disordered breathing during sleep.

Difficulty Waking Up: Children with sleep apnea may find it challenging to wake up in the morning, often feeling groggy or irritable upon awakening.

Behavioral Issues: Sleep deprivation resulting from untreated sleep apnea can manifest as behavioral problems, including hyperactivity, irritability, and difficulty focusing.

Poor School Performance: Poor sleep can impact children’s cognitive function and academic performance, potentially leading to learning difficulties or underachievement.

Schedule an Appointment

How Sleep Apnea Impacts Long-Term Health

Untreated sleep apnea can have far-reaching implications for overall health and well-being. Some potential long-term consequences include:

High Blood Pressure:

Sleep apnea is closely associated with hypertension, which can increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular complications.

Heart Disease:

The intermittent drops in blood oxygen levels associated with sleep apnea can strain the cardiovascular system, contributing to the development of heart disease, irregular heart rhythms, and heart failure.

Stroke:

Individuals with sleep apnea are at an increased risk of stroke due to the cumulative effects of oxygen deprivation, hypertension, and other cardiovascular risk factors.

Diabetes:

Sleep apnea is linked to insulin resistance and impaired glucose metabolism, increasing the risk of type 2 diabetes and complicating diabetes management.

Depression:

Chronic sleep deprivation and disrupted sleep patterns can contribute to mood disorders such as depression and anxiety, affecting mental health and quality of life.

Memory Problems:

Sleep plays a crucial role in memory consolidation and cognitive function. Sleep apnea-related sleep disruptions can impair memory formation, concentration, and decision-making abilities.

Other Common Sleep Disorders

While sleep apnea is one of the most widely recognized sleep disorders, there are several other conditions that can significantly impact sleep quality and overall health. Here are some other common sleep disorders we can help address with a sleep evaluation:

Schedule an Appointment
Insomnia
Insomnia is characterized by difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or both. It can be caused by stress, anxiety, depression, medications, caffeine, or other medical conditions. Chronic insomnia can lead to daytime fatigue, irritability, difficulty concentrating, and impaired performance at work or school. It may also contribute to the development of mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety.
Snoring
Snoring occurs when the flow of air through the mouth and nose is partially obstructed during sleep, resulting in vibrations of the throat tissues. While occasional snoring is common and often harmless, chronic snoring can be a symptom of sleep apnea or other underlying health conditions. It can disrupt sleep for both the snorer and their bed partner, leading to daytime sleepiness, irritability, and strained relationships.
Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS)
Restless Leg Syndrome is a neurological disorder characterized by an irresistible urge to move the legs, usually accompanied by uncomfortable sensations such as tingling, itching, or crawling. These symptoms typically worsen in the evening or at night, leading to difficulty falling asleep and disrupted sleep patterns. RLS can significantly impact the quality of life, causing daytime fatigue, impaired concentration, and decreased productivity.
Circadian Rhythm Disorders
Circadian rhythm disorders occur when the body’s internal clock, which regulates the sleep-wake cycle, is out of sync with the natural day-night cycle. Common circadian rhythm disorders include delayed sleep phase disorder (DSPD), advanced sleep phase disorder (ASPD), and irregular sleep-wake rhythm disorder. These conditions can result in difficulty falling asleep or waking up at the desired times, leading to chronic sleep deprivation and daytime sleepiness.
Other Sleep Issues
In addition to the disorders above, other sleep issues can affect individuals, such as sleep paralysis, parasomnias (including sleepwalking, sleep talking, and nightmares), nocturia (frequent urination during the night), and bruxism (teeth grinding). While these issues may not always disrupt sleep on their own, they can contribute to overall sleep disturbances and impact daytime functioning.