Is Sleep Apnea Dangerous?

March 14, 2023

The term sleep apnea refers to several sleep disorders when patients have slowed or paused breathing while asleep. These frequent breathing hiccups might impede sleep quality and worsen existing medical conditions. Even while therapy generally lowers the health risks related to the disease, sleep apnea can be a life-threatening issue if left untreated.

 

Here’s all you need to know about the mortality risks associated with sleep apnea.


What Are the Different Types of Sleep Apnea?

There are three main types of sleep apnea:


1)  Central Sleep Apnea

This type occurs when your brain fails to communicate correctly with the respiratory muscles. The prevalent symptom of central sleep apnea is pauses in breathing or abnormal breathing patterns during sleep.


2)  Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)

This is the most typical kind and occurs when your upper airway (or throat) collapses or gets blocked during sleep. Majority of people with obstructive sleep apnea experiences daytime sleepiness or fatigue and snore loudly at night.


3)  Complex Sleep Apnea

This disorder combines both central and obstructive sleep apnea.


What Are the Symptoms of Sleep Apnea?

The following are some of the most typical signs of sleep apnea:

●    Irregular breathing when sleeping, such as wheezing or choking,

●    Excessive sleepiness during the day

●    Morning headaches

●    A painful throat or a dry mouth when you first wake up

●    Not feeling fresh despite several hours of sleep

●    Having difficulty focusing or remembering things during the day

 

People with sleep apnea may not be aware of their nighttime breathing problems because symptoms like snoring occur while asleep. They might only be aware of a potential issue if a bed partner, roommate, or a family member lets them know, or if they video record themselves to try and catch evidence of restless sleep if they live alone.


Can You Die in Your Sleep from Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

According to an observational study, OSA increases a person's chance of unexpected death. This risk is thought to be higher in older adults, those with serious illnesses, and those with severe OSA.

 

Most of the time, breathing pauses caused by obstructive sleep apnea are only momentary. A person partially awakens to restart breathing when variations in respiration cause oxygen levels to decline. However, there are rare cases of fatalities caused by improper breathing re-initiation.

If left untreated, OSA can also interfere with the cardiovascular system's normal operations.


When Should You See a Doctor?

Consult your doctor if you get a headache, fatigue, or depression when you wake up. Pay attention to signs such as daytime sleepiness, drowsiness, or falling asleep in front of the TV or at other times.

 

Evaluation of sleep apnea includes checking for areas of your throat that can obstruct your airway, including the size and position of your jaw, base of tongue, tonsils, and neck. Checking your nasal passages for areas of congestion can also be helpful in determining sources of snoring. Surgery is occasionally recommended for structural issues obstructing the airway. A sleep study is often recommended to evaluate the type and severity of sleep apnea. A Continue Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine may be beneficial. 

 

 

Do you suspect a sleep disorder related to nasal congestion or enlarged tonsils? Start your journey to a more restful sleep today. The ENT Medical and Surgical Group team helps treat patients in New Haven, North Haven, Westbrook, and Branford, Connecticut. Get in touch or contact us at 203-752-1726 to learn more.

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