Sleep Apnea Facts

Sleep Apnea Affects Millions of Americans

The National Commission on Sleep Disorders Research estimates that 40 million Americans are chronically ill with sleep disorders and that an additional 20-30 million experience intermittent sleep-related problems. Ninety-five percent of people with sleep disorders remain undiagnosed.

High Blood Pressure

Obstructive sleep apnea can contribute to high blood pressure. The frequent nighttime awakenings that plague people with sleep apnea cause hormonal systems to go into overdrive, resulting in high blood pressure levels at night. Low blood-oxygen levels, caused by the cutoff of oxygen, may also contribute to hypertension in people with sleep apnea.

The good news: Many people with high blood pressure treated for sleep apnea can reduce their reliance on blood pressure medications.

Heart Disease

People with obstructive sleep apnea are more likely to suffer heart attacks and die in the middle of the night. The causes may be low oxygen or the stress of waking up often during sleep. Stroke and atrial fibrillation – a problem with the rhythm of the heartbeat – are also associated with obstructive sleep apnea. The disrupted oxygen flow caused by sleep apnea makes it hard for the brain to regulate the flow of blood in arteries and in the brain itself.

Lung Disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality and may frequently be complicated by sleep disorders. Insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea are commonly encountered in patients with COPD. Nocturnal hypoxemia, also prevalent in COPD, may occur despite adequate awake oxygenation and can be especially severe in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep.

Additionally, several factors—some of them unique to COPD—can contribute to sleep-related hypoventilation. Recognition of hypoventilation can be vital as supplemental oxygen therapy itself can acutely worsen hypoventilation and lead to disastrous consequences. Finally, accruing data establishes an association between restless leg syndrome and COPD— an association that may be driven by hypoxemia and/or hypercapnia. Comorbid sleep disorders portend worse sleep quality, diminished quality of life, and multifarious adverse consequences.

Type 2 Diabetes

Sleep apnea is very common among people with type 2 diabetes – up to 80% of diabetics have some obstructive sleep apnea. Obesity is a common risk factor for both disorders. Although studies haven’t shown a clear link between sleep apnea alone and type 2 diabetes, sleep deprivation can cause insulin resistance, a precursor to diabetes.

Weight Gain / Obesity

Adding weight raises risk of sleep apnea, and up to two-thirds of people with sleep apnea are severely overweight. Being overweight causes fatty deposits in the neck that block breathing at night. In turn, sleep apnea impairs the body’s endocrine systems, causing the release of the hormone ghrelin, which makes patients crave carbohydrates and sweets. Also, people with sleep apnea who are tired and sleepy all the time may have lower metabolisms, which can also contribute to weight gain. Being treated for sleep apnea increases energy levels, resulting in patients more likely to exercise.

Adult Asthma

Although the link to obstructive sleep apnea is not proven, people who are treated for sleep apnea may find they have fewer asthma attacks.

Acid Reflux

Sleep physicians routinely report a significant improvement of acid reflux from patients treated for sleep apnea.

Car Accidents & Work-related Injuries

Daytime grogginess can put people with sleep apnea five times as likely to fall asleep at the wheel or cause work-related accidents and put their lives and others at risk.

Effects of Covid 19 on Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Circadian rhythm abnormalities.
Excessive daytime sleepiness related to sleep-wake impairment (central nervous system functional or structural dysfunction).
Post-traumatic-like sleep dysfunction (new-onset or re-emergence of prior post-traumatic stress disorder).
Abnormal dreams (nightmare disorder).
Transient restless legs syndrome associated with insomnia.