You jolt awake, gasping for air. Your heart is pounding, and your partner nudges you, complaining about your loud snoring. You brush it off, thinking it is just another restless night. But what if these episodes are more than just an annoyance? What if they are a sign of something more dangerous happening while you sleep?
Sleep apnea is a serious but often overlooked condition that affects millions of people. It doesn’t just make you tired; it can also increase your risk for heart disease, high blood pressure, and other major health issues.
Dr. Haris Kalatoudis, a pulmonologist at St. Joseph’s Health, explains, “Sleep apnea is more than just loud snoring. It is a medical condition where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep, putting extra stress on your heart and body.”
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a disorder that creates pauses in breathing while you sleep. These pauses can last from a few seconds to over a minute and may happen dozens or even hundreds of times per night. When your body realizes it is not getting enough oxygen, it jolts you awake just enough to restart breathing. This cycle prevents deep, restful sleep and can lead to serious health complications.
There are two main types of sleep apnea.
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is the most common type. This manifests as a blockage in the airway, usually due to relaxed throat muscles.
- Central Sleep Apnea (CSA) is less common and occurs when the brain fails to send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing.
Common Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
Many people with sleep apnea do not realize they have it because they do not fully wake up when their breathing stops. However, there are some key signs to watch for.
- Loud, chronic snoring, especially with choking or gasping sounds
- Waking up feeling tired, even after a full night’s sleep
- Morning headaches
- Dry mouth or sore throat upon waking
- Difficulty concentrating during the day
- Irritability, mood changes, or depression
- High blood pressure that does not improve with medication
“Many people do not connect their daytime fatigue or high blood pressure to poor sleep,” explains Dr. Kalatoudis. “But untreated sleep apnea can be a hidden culprit behind a range of health problems.”
How Sleep Apnea Affects Your Health
Ignoring sleep apnea can have serious consequences. “When you stop breathing multiple times a night, your body experiences repeated drops in oxygen levels,” stresses Dr. Kalatoudis. “This triggers stress hormones that raise blood pressure and increase inflammation, which can contribute to heart disease, stroke, and even diabetes.”
Here are several ways sleep apnea can impact your body:
Increased Risk of Heart Disease and High Blood Pressure
Sleep apnea puts extra strain on your heart. Every time you stop breathing your blood pressure spikes. Over time, this can lead to hypertension, irregular heartbeats such as atrial fibrillation, and even heart failure.
Higher Risk of Stroke and Cognitive Decline
Since sleep apnea repeatedly cuts off oxygen to the brain, it increases the risk of stroke. Poor sleep also affects memory, concentration, and can contribute to dementia later in life.
Weight Gain and Metabolic Issues
Sleep apnea is closely linked to obesity. Poor sleep disrupts hormones that control hunger, leading to increased appetite and weight gain. It can also make diabetes harder to manage.
Increased Risk of Accidents
Daytime drowsiness from untreated sleep apnea makes you more prone to car accidents, workplace errors, and poor decision-making.
Who Is at Risk for Sleep Apnea?
While anyone can develop sleep apnea, certain factors increase the likelihood.
- Being overweight or obese
- Having a thick neck or a narrow airway
- Being male, though risk increases for women after menopause
- Being over the age of 40
- Having a family history of sleep apnea
- Smoking or excessive alcohol use
- Having chronic nasal congestion
“People often associate sleep apnea with older, overweight men, but it can affect anyone, including women and even children,” explains Dr. Kalatoudis. “If you or a loved one snores loudly or struggles with daytime fatigue, it is worth getting it checked out.”
How Is Sleep Apnea Diagnosed?
If you suspect sleep apnea, a doctor will likely recommend a sleep study. This can be done at a sleep center or at home with a portable monitoring device. These tests measure breathing patterns, oxygen levels, and how often your sleep is disrupted.
Treatment Options for Sleep Apnea
The good news is that sleep apnea is treatable. Depending on the severity, these are some of the treatment options that may be used:
Lifestyle Changes
For mild sleep apnea, lifestyle changes can make a big difference.
- Losing weight
- Sleeping on your side instead of your back
- Avoiding alcohol and sedatives before bed
- Treating nasal congestion
CPAP Therapy
The most effective treatment for moderate to severe sleep apnea is a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine, which delivers a steady stream of air through a mask, keeping the airway open.
“Using a CPAP machine can dramatically improve energy levels, heart health, and overall quality of life. Many patients are hesitant to use a CPAP at first, but once they adjust, they realize how much better they feel,” notes Dr. Kalatoudis.
Oral Appliances
For some patients, a custom-fitted oral appliance that repositions the jaw may help keep the airway open. These are often recommended for those who cannot tolerate CPAP therapy.
Surgery
In severe cases, surgery may be needed to remove excess tissue blocking the airway or to reposition the jaw. This is typically considered if other treatments do not work.
When to See a Doctor
If you or someone you love experiences frequent loud snoring, gasping for air during sleep, or extreme daytime fatigue, do not ignore it. Untreated sleep apnea can lead to serious, life-threatening conditions.
“Sleep apnea is highly treatable, and getting diagnosed can literally be lifesaving,” says Dr. Kalatoudis. “If you are experiencing symptoms, talk to a doctor. Getting a good night’s sleep is one of the best things you can do for your heart and overall health.”
The first step for a sleep evaluation is to make an appointment with a pulmonologist. At St. Joseph’s Health, we offer comprehensive sleep evaluations and treatments tailored to your needs. The Sleep Center at St. Joseph’s Wayne Medical Center is fully accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. More information can be found here.
