What is sleep
apnea?
Do you wake up tired? Does your partner complain that you snore? If so, you may be 1 in about 5 Canadian adults suffering from sleep apnea1 – and not know you have it.
What is sleep apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a condition where the muscles in the back and sides of your throat relax so much while you sleep, that this briefly blocks your breathing. When it happens your oxygen levels can drop, causing your brain to wake you up just enough to tense your throat muscles and take a breath (often unconsciously). Then you fall back into a disrupted deep sleep and the cycle continues – usually without you even noticing.
Sleep apnea can cause you to feel very tired throughout the day - sometimes falling asleep at work or while driving.
There are three types of sleep apnea
- Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) – is the most common, where the tissue of the throat blocks your airway, causing you to stop breathing
- Central sleep apnea – is not as common as OSA, where the brain or nerves fail to signal the muscles in your throat to tighten so you can take a breath
- Combination or complex sleep apnea where obstructive and central sleep apnea occur together
Is it normal to stop breathing at night like this?
Yes it is normal – after you fall asleep your throat muscles relax and can cause a blockage for a few seconds. Most people might stop breathing, wake up a little, take a breath and fall into deeper sleep again, several times a night .
But when it happens more than five times per hour it is probably sleep apnea. In severe cases it can happen more than 30 times per hour.
Who gets sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea occurs in all age groups – including newborn babies – but is most common in people who are over 50 and people who are overweight 3. It is also more common in men than women 4.
Other physical characteristics such as large tonsils, a small nose, some thyroid conditions and nasal congestion can increase your chances of sleep apnea. Drinking alcohol or taking sedatives, narcotics, or sleeping pills before sleep can also relax your throat and worsen your sleep apnea.
Signs of sleep apnea
Sleep apnea causes a range of symptoms. You may have sleep apnea if you have two or more of these:
- Snoring – many sleep apnea patients are referred to the doctor because their snoring keeps their partner awake
- Breathing pauses (apneas) – some sleep apnea patients are told by their partners that they stop breathing a few times at night, and then gasp for air
- Feeling sleepy during the day – some people seek treatment after they have fallen asleep while driving or at work
- Poor concentration
- Feeling depressed, irritable or moody 5,6
- Suffering from a reduced sex drive
- Going to the toilet frequently at night
- Nightmares
Why is sleep apnea bad for me?
People who have sleep apnea often suffer from other conditions that are associated with, or in some cases are caused by their sleep apnea. 4,5,6,7
By treating your sleep apnea, you may also be able to reduce the severity of, or the risk of suffering from:
- Poor cardiovascular health 8,9
- Hypertension 8,9
- Stroke 8,9
- Type 2 diabetes 10, 11
- Depression 12
Am I at risk of having sleep apnea?
Take this short quiz to assess your likelihood of having sleep apnea and whether you should talk to your doctor.
