How Sleep Apnea Steals Your Day (and Night)

You drift off to sleep, only to be jolted awake moments later, gasping for air. This cycle repeats itself throughout the night, leaving you exhausted despite a full "eight hours." This isn't just a bad night's sleep. It could be sleep apnea, a surprisingly common condition that disrupts your breathing during sleep.

While loud snoring is a telltale sign, sleep apnea can be silent. But the consequences are anything but quiet.

Untreated sleep apnea can wreak havoc on your daily life, impacting your health, relationships, and even your ability to stay awake at the wheel. This article examines the effects of leaving sleep apnea untreated as discussed in the AASM’s Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) National Indicator Report of 2023.

The Domino Effect of Fragmented Sleep

Sleep apnea episodes disrupt your sleep cycle, preventing you from reaching those deep, restorative stages. The result? You wake up feeling tired, foggy-headed, and irritable. After all, sleep is the foundation for your physical and mental well-being. When that foundation is shaky, the whole house suffers.

Among the most prominent effects of untreated sleep apnea are cardiovascular issues, impaired brain function, extreme daytime sleepiness, depression, and risks of vehicular accidents.

Sleep Apnea Affects Your Heart and Blood Sugar

The constant sleep deprivation caused by sleep apnea can trigger a cascade of health issues. Studies have shown a link between sleep apnea and an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. That's because the frequent drops in blood oxygen levels during sleep apnea put a strain on your heart and blood vessels.

Here's a closer look at how sleep apnea can affect your cardiovascular health:

High Blood Pressure

The body's response to the lack of oxygen during sleep apnea episodes is to release stress hormones, which can lead to chronically high blood pressure. Almost 50% of people who have OSA also have hypertension. This increased pressure puts a strain on your heart and blood vessels, increasing the risk of heart attack. When left untreated, sleep apnea also increases the risk of stroke by two to four-fold.

Heart Strain

The constant struggle to breathe during sleep apnea forces your heart to work harder. Over time, this strain can weaken the heart muscle and lead to heart failure.

Sleep apnea can also disrupts your body's ability to regulate blood sugar, making you more prone to developing type 2 diabetes. Here's why:

Insulin Resistance

Sleep apnea disrupts hormones involved in blood sugar control, making your cells less responsive to insulin, a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar levels. This can lead to insulin resistance, a precursor to type 2 diabetes. OSA is also associated with increased glucose and triglyceride levels. Fortunately, PAP treatment among diabetic OSA patients improved glycemic control and insulin resistance.

Sleep Apnea Affects the Whole Body

OSA has been associated with eye disorders like glaucoma, optic neuropathy, and floppy eye syndrome. On the other hand, treating OSA can help curb the progression of some ocular disorders such as glaucoma.

OSA has also been linked to asthma. To be specific, asthma and OSA have an effect on each other. Half of adult patients with asthma develop OSA.

Patients with sleep apnea have a higher chance of developing depression. Interestingly, these conditions share similar symptoms such as poor sleep and lack of focus. This can compound their existing problems with concentration and alertness. Hence, it could lead to higher risk of vehicular accidents or workplace efficiency issues.

Last but not least, sleep apnea results in an altered brain chemistry which could lead to clinical and cellular changes that are connected with early Alzheimer’s Disease.

Sleep Apnea Causes Risky Driving and Relationship Woes

The constant fatigue associated with sleep apnea can have serious consequences beyond just feeling lousy.

Increased Accidents On the Road

Daytime sleepiness is a major symptom of sleep apnea and significantly increases your risk of car accidents. Imagine being behind the wheel, microsleeping for a few seconds – that's all it takes for disaster to strike. The risk of motor vehicle accidents can jump up to 480% if OSA symptoms are not treated.

Reduced Work Performance

The brain fog and fatigue caused by sleep apnea can make it difficult to concentrate,focus, and complete tasks at work. This can lead to decreased productivity and even job security.

Relationship Strain

The irritability and mood swings caused by chronic sleep deprivation can take a toll on your interactions with family and friends. Your partner might be woken up by your snoring, and you might be too tired to engage in quality time with loved ones. Additionally, both men and women with OSA are at high risk for sexual dysfunction.

Don't Let Sleep Apnea Take Over Your Life

Sleep apnea affects more than your sleep quality. If left untreated, it can interfere with your emotional, mental, and social well-being.

The good news? Sleep apnea is a treatable condition.

With proper diagnosis and treatment, you can reclaim your sleep and your health. If you suspect you might have sleep apnea, talk to your doctor. Early intervention can make a world of difference!

The sleep experts at nightly.health are here for you, every step of the way. From diagnosing your condition to finding the most effective sleep apnea treatment, we won’t let you down. Get your initial sleep assessment today—on us!