Sleep apnea is a serious medical condition that occurs when a person stops breathing during sleep. Unfortunately, it is often undiagnosed until a bed partner or a family member tells you that you may have it. If no one is around to tell you, there are some early warning signs that tell you may be at risk for sleep apnea, including snoring, fatigue during the day, and waking up frequently during the night.
Here are some reasons why sleep apnea needs to be tested for and treated.
Health Problems
Cardiovascular Disease
A study published in the Medical Journal of Australia shows that sleep apnea can cause heart diseases like hypertension, strokes, cardiac arrhythmias, ischaemic heart disease, and heart failure. This is because when your breathing regularly stops throughout the night, you are not getting the oxygen that your body needs. When you do not get enough oxygen, your heart has to work harder to pump blood around your body.
Diabetes
A study published by the Sleep Foundation lists several links between sleep apnea and insulin resistance, which is a precursor to diabetes. There are numerous pathways as to how sleep apnea can cause insulin resistance. One, sleep apnea leads to chronic inflammation. Two, sleep apnea leads to changes in hormones that regulate blood sugar. The report by the Sleep foundation mentions several serious pathways that lead to insulin resistance clearly signifying that sleep apnea can increase the risk for diabetes.
Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia
New research by Australian and Icelandic researchers, led by RMIT University and published in the journal Sleep has confirmed long-suspected links between sleep apnea and Alzheimer’s disease. The research found that people with sleep apnea are more likely to have signs of brain damage on MRI scans, including reduced brain volume and white matter abnormalities. They also found identical signs of brain damage in both conditions. Studies from other institutions also found that people with sleep apnea were more likely to perform poorly on cognitive tests, and that these cognitive deficits were similar to those seen in Alzheimer’s disease.
These findings suggest that sleep apnea may be a risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease, or that the two conditions share common underlying mechanisms.
Driving Drowsy and Road Accidents
Because sleep apnea causes sleep deprivation, it can lead to daytime sleepiness, difficulty to concentrate and focus on tasks, and unable to stay alert. It is also one of the leading causes of driving drowsy road accidents which is a major problem on our roads. Sleep apnea is a major contributing factor to this, which makes it crucial to get tested and treated so you that you can stay safe while driving.
WARNING: If you are sleep deprived, get enough sleep before driving. In some countries and states, it is considered an offense to drive when fatigued. If you suspect you have sleep apnea, talk to your doctor about testing and treatment options.
Depression
Studies have shown that people with sleep apnea are more likely to suffer from depression than those who do not have the disorder. One theory is that sleep apnea disrupts the body’s natural sleep cycle. This disruption can lead to changes in the levels of certain hormones, including serotonin, which plays a role in mood regulation. In addition, sleep apnea can cause chronic sleepiness, which can further contribute to feelings of chronic fatigue and irritability.
If you think you may have sleep apnea, it is important to talk to your doctor and get a sleep test. A home sleep test is easy and convenient, and you can sleep in the comfort of your own bed. If you suspect you have sleep apnea, talk to your doctor about having a home sleep test and find the right treatment for you.