Sleep Apnea Disorder: Long-Term Health Risks and Why Treatment Matters

Sleep apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder which affects your breathing while you are asleep. It is characterized by repeated interruptions in breathing and prevents you from getting a good night's sleep. Common symptoms include shallow breathing, or upper airway collapse which causes poor ventilation and significant sleep pattern disruptions. These are known as apneas, and can occur throughout the night, lasting for a minimum of ten seconds or even minutes.

Sleep apnea can cause daytime sleepiness, snoring, and non-restorative sleep, even after six to eight hours of sleep. While sleep and mental health are often linked, sleep apnea is not a mental health disorder, but rather a sleep-related breathing disorder - part of a wider group of sleep disorders that includes insomnia, central disorders of hypersomnolence, and parasomnias.

Types of Sleep Apnea

The two main types of sleep apnea are obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and central sleep apnea (CSA). Obstructive sleep apnea is more common and is caused by a blockage in the upper airway. This is because of narrowing, crowding, or collapse of the upper airway, confirming that this is a respiratory disorder. In contrast, CSA may be considered a neurological disorder as it is caused by the brain's failure to control breathing, resulting in pauses between breaths during sleep.

There are potential health complications associated with sleep apnea, as well as negative effects on your mental health and well-being which will be outlined below.

Understanding the Health Risks Associated with Sleep Apnea

Cardiovascular Problems

Sleep apnea, especially obstructive sleep apnea, can increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. This is because sleep apnea can cause reduced levels of oxygen and increased levels of carbon dioxide in the body. Sleep disruptions can also lead to increased blood pressure, stress hormone levels and inflammation, again increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease. Together, this can encourage the onset of cardiovascular disease at an earlier age, resulting in heart attack, strokes or even cardiac death.

Obstructive sleep apnea can also worsen existing cardiovascular conditions, which in turn can worsen the symptoms of sleep apnea. Studies show that 40-80% of people suffering from cardiovascular diseases also experience OSA (although this may not be diagnosed or treated correctly) with a negative impact on overall health and well-being.

Impact on Metabolic Health

Sleep apnea has a significant negative impact on metabolic health. It increases the risk of type 2 diabetes and can worsen the symptoms of heart failure patients. This is because reduced levels of oxygen in combination with sleep disruption can disrupt glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity, resulting in metabolic dysfunction.

Obesity, which is a primary risk factor for obstructive sleep apnea, also has a direct impact on metabolic health and together they can result in further weight gain and other serious health complications.

Complications with Medications and Surgery

Sleep apnea can increase the risk related to certain medical and surgical procedures. General anesthetics and sedatives can worsen obstructive sleep apnea by relaxing the muscles that keep the upper airway open. This can increase the frequency and severity of apnea during surgery and recovery.

Reduced oxygen levels in the blood during this time can cause heart injuries, cardiac death, heart failure, and stroke. Doctors and healthcare professionals know to take appropriate measures to manage and monitor oxygen levels very closely for OSA patients undergoing surgery or medical treatment, and will plan the best approach with you beforehand.

The Cognitive and Emotional Toll of Sleep Apnea
Daytime Fatigue and Cognitive Impairment

Sleep apnea can significantly affect cognitive function and cause drowsiness throughout the day. This can have a negative impact on health and well-being. Lack of sleep can affect productivity levels and even be hazardous to health, increasing clumsiness and rendering you more accident prone.

Although individuals may sleep for a sufficient duration, for example six to eight hours a night, quality of sleep can be dramatically reduced by sleep apnea. This can impair the brain's ability to perform complex tasks, resulting in memory loss and decreased cognitive performance.

Mental Health Implications

Sleep apnea can have a significant effect on mental health and well-being. Left untreated it increases the risk of depression, anxiety, psychological distress and other mental health issues.
This is because sleep apnea affects the release of neurotransmitters such as serotonin. Serotonin plays a significant role in mood regulation and a decrease in levels is associated with depression and other mental health disorders. Sleep apnea can also result in sexual dysfunction and increase the risk of suicidal thoughts.

Importance of Diagnosis and Intervention

Benefits of Early Detection

Early detection can help reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, metabolic disorders, and cognitive impairments. If you are already affected by any of these conditions, treating sleep apnea may help reduce your symptoms.

Treatment Options

Your doctor will put together an individually tailored treatment plan for you depending on the severity and type of the condition. For obstructive sleep apnea, the most common and effective method of treatment is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy.

A CPAP machine delivers a steady flow of air pressure into your nose and mouth, keeping the airways open while you sleep. It is used for patients with moderate to severe OSA and can help reduce symptoms and improve the quality of sleep. At SleepQuest, we provide APAP for our patients, where air pressure is variable rather than fixed - usually a superior offering as it is able to adapt to the individual’s breathing patterns. If a doctor specifically prescribes a CPAP device, we can set the pressure on an APAP to the fixed pressure of a CPAP.

Other options include oral appliances which are designed to keep the airways open to again ensure effective respiration. This includes nasal expiratory positive airway pressure (EPAP), which uses small valves in the nostrils to create resistance and keep the airway expanded during exhalation. If CPAP is not suitable for you, your doctor may suggest surgical treatment such as hypoglossal nerve stimulation and maxillomandibular advancement. This can help clear the airway by repositioning the tongue or jaw for effective breathing.

Managing Sleep Apnea

Alongside the use of CPAP or other breathing appliances, changes to your lifestyle will help reduce the symptoms of sleep apnea and improve your overall health and well-being. These include maintaining a healthy diet, losing weight, managing stress, and committing to regular exercise which together help reduce the sleep apnea symptoms but also other health complications. Changing your sleeping position may help you breathe more effectively too.

You may also wish to speak to your doctor or healthcare professional about myofunctional therapy. This includes electrical stimulation of the tongue, speech therapy, and circular breathing exercises which can strengthen the facial, tongue, and oropharyngeal muscles, and prevent airway narrowing and collapse.

In conclusion, sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder which can result in a range of health complications. Discussing any suspicious symptoms with your doctor or healthcare professional is important for the early diagnosis and effective treatment of the disorder.