Sleep apnea can lead to many other health issues. Some of these health problems can cause sleep apnea, and others result from it. Interestingly, many of these health conditions involve the heart and lungs. So it might have you wondering: Can sleep apnea cause lung problems?
It’s true that sleep apnea affects your breathing. These apneas, or periods when breathing stops and starts, might make you think it is a lung disease. According to the American Lung Association, the term lung disease refers to any disorder affecting the lungs. This includes disorders like asthma, COPD, cancer, influenza, pneumonia, tuberculosis, and many others. While sleep apnea can have serious consequences for lung health, the primary function of the condition is sleep related.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Before we look at how it affects your lung health, let’s look at what sleep apnea is.
Apnea is a ‘temporary cessation of breathing, especially during sleep’. Based on the definition, referring to the condition as ‘sleep apnea’ may seem redundant. But because apneas can occur at other times, it is an important distinction to make.
With sleep apnea, breathing stops and starts at least 5 times an hour, but can pause as many as several hundred times a night. These pauses can last anywhere from 5 seconds to several minutes at a time. When this happens, blood oxygen levels drop and trigger you to wake up. Frequent sleep disruptions causes a variety of side effects. These side effects may include:
Irritability
Slowed reaction time
Difficulty focusing
Fatigue
Forgetfulness
Driving accidents
Depression
There are a few types of sleep apnea but the most common type is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). With OSA these apnea events occur when the airway becomes partially or completely blocked during sleep. The blockage may be due to several different factors.
Common causes of Obstructive Sleep Apnea are:
Relaxation of the neck and throat muscles, causing the soft palate to collapse
Tongue balling up in the back of the throat
Fatty deposits in the tongue or neck restrict the airway
Narrow airway
With OSA the brain continues sending messages to the body to breathe. The muscles of the chest and diaphragm work even harder to breathe but are not able to completely clear the blockage. This results in the loud snoring, choking, or gasping during sleep that is common for people with the condition.
Is Sleep Apnea a Respiratory Disorder?
With lung diseases the primary function of the disorder begins in the lungs. But, in sleep apnea the issue starts in the brain or in the airway itself and occurs only during sleep. As a result, it is most accurate to refer to sleep apnea as a form of sleep-disordered breathing.
Can Sleep Apnea Cause Lung Problems?
While classified as a sleep disorder, sleep apnea does lead to or worsen lung problems.
Research published in BMC Pulmonary Medicine found that patients with OSA had increased lung elasticity recoil pressure. The elastic quality of lung tissues is what allows them to expand and contract when you breathe. With increased lung elasticity recoil pressure the lungs snap back too forcefully. This creates a vacuum effect that contributes to airway collapse in OSA. The resulting reduction in lung volume increases the risk or worsens the symptoms of some very serious lung problems.
Lung problems that are common in patients with sleep apnea include:
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Pulmonary Hypertension
Asthma
COPD
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, or COPD, is an umbrella term for a group of conditions that make breathing difficult. This difficulty arises from clogged or narrow airways. It is usually the result of inflammation in the internal structures or damage to the air sacs in the lungs. This damage is typically caused by smoking and air pollutants.
A review in the journal Lung found that up to 66% of COPD sufferers also suffer from sleep apnea. As where only around 20% of patients with sleep apnea also have COPD. Doctors refer to this as “overlap syndrome”. Patients with COPD have an increased risk of heart attack. When paired with sleep apnea it will lead to high blood pressure, arrhythmia, heart failure, and stroke if left untreated. Unfortunately there is no cure for COPD and the condition tends to worsen over time. However, symptoms do improve with treatment and the use of sleep apnea therapy.
Pulmonary Hypertension
Patients with sleep apnea have an increased risk of developing pulmonary hypertension (PH). Pulmonary hypertension is a type of high blood pressure. It causes increased blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs and in the right side of the heart. Patients with pulmonary hypertension experience shortness of breath, dizziness, and chest pressure. How exactly sleep apnea causes pulmonary hypertension remains controversial. However, we know that periods of low blood oxygen (hypoxia) cause the heart to work harder to continue supplying oxygen to the body. With sleep apnea these periods of hypoxia happen more frequently, sometimes several hundred times a night. Studies show that as many as 82% of patients with PH have some form of sleep apnea. Like COPD, pulmonary hypertension worsens over time. Similarly, patients can reduce the severity of their symptoms and improve quality of life with treatment.
Asthma
Asthma is a condition in which a person’s airways are highly sensitive. When exposed to a trigger the airway becomes inflamed and swollen, restricting the flow of air through the lungs. This irritation also causes the lungs to secrete more mucus, making it even harder to breathe. Asthma and sleep apnea are both common conditions and seem to play off each other. In the BCM Pulmonary Medicine review researchers found a synergistic link between the two conditions. Subjects with OSA had a narrower airway on average, as did subjects who only had asthma. Airway diameter was even smaller in subjects who had both. They found that 49% of subjects with difficult-to-treat asthma also suffered from mild to moderate OSA. The data also showed a direct link between how intense their OSA was and the severity of their asthma symptoms. When asthma is well controlled, OSA symptoms also decrease.
Reduce the Risk of Your Apnea and Lung Problems
The good news is that sleep apnea is easy to treat. Patients see improvement in their quality of life soon after beginning sleep apnea therapy. At Sleep BetterColumbus we know how important it is to get a good night’s sleep. CPAP machines are a great option but we know they can be uncomfortable and make sleeping difficult. We provide high quality, custom fitted oral appliances to keep your airway clear. An oral appliance shifts the lower jaw forward. This prevents soft palate collapse and keeps the tongue from balling up at the back of the throat. Because our oral appliances are lightweight and custom fitted, patients have an easier time adjusting. This results in better compliance and faster relief. Reducing your symptoms will improve your quality of life and reduce your risks of lung problems.
Sleep apnea is a serious condition in which breathing stops and starts during sleep. These pauses in breathing last for at least 10 seconds at a time and occur no less than 5 times an hour. These pauses cause blood oxygen levels to drop, triggering periods of wakefulness. Unfortunately, symptoms of sleep apnea are easily missed or often ignored. Many patients are not aware of their condition until it has already taken a serious toll on their health. But what triggers sleep apnea?
Types of Sleep Apnea
Before we can dive into what triggers sleep apnea (SA), let’s take a look at the different types. There are two main types:
Central
Obstructive
With central sleep apnea (CSA) the wiring in the brain has become faulty. The brain fails to properly send signals to the muscles that control your breathing. Unlike obstructive sleep apnea, in CSA all breathing functions stop. It is not until oxygen levels drop enough that the brain is able to trigger you to wake up abruptly. This form of sleep apnea is less common.
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is by far the most common. It is the result of the soft tissues of the mouth and throat relaxing too much during sleep. These structures collapse inward, either partially or completely blocking the airway. During an episode of OSA the brain continues sending signals to breathe. With a partial obstruction the added effort causes the soft tissues to vibrate. This results in the loud, chainsaw-like snoring associated with OSA. A complete obstruction results in observable periods where breathing stops. Either type of episode usually ends with a fit of gasping or choking before normal breathing resumes.
While it is possible to have both forms of SA, it is not as common. Doctors refer to this as complex sleep apnea. Patients will have alternating periods of apnea due either to failed signals or obstruction.
What Causes Sleep Apnea?
There are many causes and contributing factors in sleep apnea. Central sleep apnea is the result of the brain failing to signal the muscles of the chest to breathe. Conditions that reduce blood oxygen levels or impair the function of the central nervous system can increase your risk. Factors that increase the risk of CSA include:
Age – As you age your risk of developing CSA increases. The groups most at risk are individuals over the age of 45 are at the greatest risk.
Biological Sex – CSA is more common among men than it is among women.
Heart Health – Heart health can have a tremendous impact on your risk factors. Conditions such as congestive heart failure or an irregular heartbeat are significant risk factors for CSA.
Medications – Certain medications, particularly sedatives, opioids, and methadone can increase your risk.
Stroke – Around 75% of patients who need physical therapy after a stroke are also diagnosed with sleep-disordered breathing. CSA is the most common diagnosis.
Other Brain Abnormalities – Brain tumors and lesions on the brain stem can impair its ability to properly relay messages to the body.
CPAP Use – Studies show that patients who use a CPAP machine to create positive pressure in their airway are more likely to develop CSA. Continued use of a CPAP often resolves this issue.
Obstructive sleep apnea is most greatly influenced by physical factors. Factors that increase your risk of developing OSA include:
Weight – Obesity and excessive weight greatly increases the risk of sleep apnea. Fat deposits in the tongue and neck can obstruct breathing.
Narrow Airway – Some people naturally have a narrow airway. Others may have enlarged tonsils or adenoids. While this can be an issue in adults, it is often identified and addressed in childhood. Having a thick neck can also cause a narrowing of the airway.
Biological Sex – As with CSA, obstructive sleep apnea is more common in men than in women. Men are as much as 3 times more likely to develop the condition. Men tend to put on more weight in their midsection than women. Increased abdominal circumference is directly linked to OSA. Women have an increased risk of OSA if they are overweight or are post-menopause.
Age – OSA is more common in adults over the age of 40.
Family History – Many risk factors for OSA are hereditary.
Substance and Drug Use – Alcohol, sedatives, and tranquilizers relax the muscles of the throat and slow your breathing.
Smoking – Smoking causes inflammation and fluid retention in the upper respiratory tract. This narrows the airway and increases a smokers risk three times more than people who have never smoked.
Nasal Congestion – Swelling in the nasal passages can cause the airway to become blocked or narrowed, especially when lying down. This may be due to allergies or illness. Anatomical abnormalities such as a deviated septum can also compound this issue.
Reducing Your Risks
Some risk factors like age, biological sex, and heredity are beyond your control. Some may require surgical correction. But, through an appropriate treatment plan you can reduce many other risk factors.
Ways you can reduce your risks include:
Weight Management – Doctors recommend that most patients with sleep apnea lose weight. Maintaining a healthy weight can reduce many key risk factors.
Exercise – A moderate exercise routine can strengthen your heart and improve circulation. Regular exercise can also improve lung capacity. This helps to reduce how often you wake due to poor oxygenation.
Reduce Medication and Drug Use – Reducing the use of opioids, sedatives, and tranquilizers will lower your risks.
Avoid Smoking and Drinking – Quitting smoking is a great way to reduce your sleep apnea risk factors. As your lungs recover, airway irritation will reduce and allow for clearer breathing. Avoiding alcohol use before bed, or cutting it out altogether will also help.
Humidifier – Some airway obstruction is the result of inflammation. Using a humidifier helps to sooth and open the airway for clearer breathing.
Sleep Position – Depending on the cause of your obstruction, changing your sleep position may provide relief. Studies show that adults with OSA may benefit from side sleeping. Oddly, the same is not true of children with OSA. The same study showed that back sleeping reduces symptoms in children.
Oral Appliances – An oral appliance is a mouthpiece very similar in design to a sport mouthguard. This custom fitted mouthpiece helps to angle the jaw and tongue forward to prevent soft palate collapse. Patients report faster relief from symptoms and a better rate of compliance than with a CPAP.
It is important to take a combined approach to sleep apnea relief. Addressing underlying health issues and reducing risk factors will improve your quality of life. In the meantime, you need to get restful sleep. At Sleep Better Columbus we know the fastest, safest way to help you find relief is to use a custom oral appliance. Dr. Mark Levy has used oral appliance therapy to treat sleep apnea since 2005. He has dedicated himself to continuing his education to provide patients with the best possible care. At Sleep Better Columbus you can be sure you’ll get excellent care, quality appliances, and better sleep.
Do you wonder what triggers sleep apnea? Call Sleep Better Columbus at (614) 362-7292 for more information.
Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder affecting an estimated 42 million Americans, affecting roughly 1 in 5 adults. Approximately 9% of middle aged women and nearly 25% of middle aged men suffer from some form of sleep apnea. Disturbingly enough, however, most people who have sleep apnea are not aware that they do. Estimates suggest that as many as 75% of severe cases of sleep-disordered breathing go undiagnosed.Sleep apnea is also a major risk factor for serious life-shortening cardiovascular and metabolic health issues. But what is it and what makes sleep apnea so dangerous?
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a condition where a your breathing pauses for at least 10 seconds during sleep. In some cases these episodes may last several minutes before normal breathing resumes. The average healthy adult may have up to 5 episodes of paused breathing an hour during sleep. This is fairly normal and typically nothing to be concerned with. However, with sleep apnea these episodes occur at least 5 or more times an hour. In extreme cases a sufferer may have as many as 240+ episodes during an 8 hour night.
There are three types of sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the airway becomes blocked. This blockage either reduces or completely stops the flow of air through the lungs. During these episodes the body continues to try to breathe. The muscles of the chest and diaphragm work harder to try to force the airway open but are not able to. The most common cause of obstruction is the muscles of the neck and throat relaxing too much. As a result, the airway collapses. This obstruction reduces the flow of oxygen to your brain. When levels drop too low it triggers the gasp reflex, reopening your airway. Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common form of sleep apnea.
Central sleep apnea occurs when the brain fails to send proper signals to the body. Normally, breathing is an involuntary action. You keep on doing it whether you consciously choose to or not. But sometimes these signals fail to send due to differences in brain function. In this case, the airway is not blocked but there is no movement of air through the lungs. Breathing resumes when the oxygen levels drop low enough to trigger the gasp reflex. Central sleep apnea is less common but is, perhaps, the most dangerous form of apnea. It is possible to have both forms.
Signs of Sleep Apnea
One of the most interesting things about sleep apnea is that most people who have it are not even aware that they do. Diagnosis usually only comes after prolonged complaints from the patient’s sleep partner. Due to the nature of the condition misdiagnosis is common. Many doctors believe that sleep apnea is commonly misdiagnosed as depression, explaining why many cases of depression fail to respond to typical treatment. It is also common for patients to ignore their symptoms, writing it off as something else.
Observable episodes of paused breathing during sleep
Waking suddenly, usually accompanied by gasping or choking
Morning dry mouth or sore throat
Morning headache
Difficulty concentrating during the day
Changes in mood, such as depression or irritability
High blood pressure
Nighttime sweating
Decreased libido
Not all sufferers experience every one of these symptoms. In fact, some individuals with sleep apnea do not snore at all.
Complications of Sleep Apnea
Because the symptoms of sleep apnea are easily missed and often go unnoticed by sufferers, it might lead you to wonder: Is sleep apnea dangerous? In a word, yes. While not typically immediately fatal, sleep apnea is caused by or contributes to many serious health issues. Interestingly, many of the risk factors that contribute to sleep apnea may also result from apnea itself. People most at risk of developing sleep apnea have one or more of the following traits:
Male
Obesity (BMI >30)
Hypertension
Alcohol or sedative use
Abnormalities in airway or facial structure
Smoker
Family history of sleep apnea
Large neck circumference
Type 2 diabetes
Metabolic disorder
Studies also show that patients with sleep apnea have a dramatically higher risk of developing the following:
Hypertension, especially drug-resistant
Obesity
Congestive Heart Failure
Need a pacemaker
Atrial Fibrillation
Diabetes
Coronary Artery Disease
Stroke
Studies have shown that sleep apnea is an independent risk factor for hypertension. Patients with no other risk factors are more likely to develop hypertension if they have sleep apnea. Sleep apnea also contributes greatly to stroke. Some 65-70% of stroke patients are also diagnosed with sleep-disordered breathing.
Sleep apnea was also found to double your risk of traffic accidents. The risk is significantly higher in people with moderate to severe sleep apnea. These individuals are 15 times more likely to cause an accident. This is due to excessive sleepiness and difficulty concentrating reducing reaction times. Estimates show that sleep apnea contributes to 980 traffic accident deaths per year.
Treating Sleep Apnea
Thankfully, sleep apnea is easy to diagnose and to treat. If you suspect you may have sleep apnea the first thing to do is speak with your doctor. Before your appointment be sure to keep a sleep diary. Record how often you wake in the night and any other symptoms you have noticed. Have your sleep partner record how many times they notice you waking or stop breathing in the night. This information will help your doctor to diagnose your condition. Your doctor will either give you a home test kit, or schedule a sleep study. The data collected during your test will show how often your breathing pauses, for how long, and how much your oxygen levels dip. With this information your doctor will be able to diagnose what form of sleep apnea you have and how to treat it.
Long term treatment for sleep apnea involves reducing your risk factors. This may include losing weight, lowering your blood pressure, and ensuring your diabetes is well controlled. Reducing or eliminating alcohol or sedative use will also reduce your risk. Unfortunately, it may not be possible to completely eliminate your risk factors.
More immediate solutions for treating sleep apnea involve the use of assistive devices.
CPAP – Continuous Positive Airway Pressure machines connect to a face mask that cover the nose and mouth. It pumps pressurized air through the mask to keep the airway from collapsing. Patients sometimes struggle to use this mask every night as it can take some getting used to. They are not always particularly comfortable and can cause dry mouth. Some patients also report feeling claustrophobic.
Oral Appliance – A less invasive but equally effective option is an oral appliance. These custom fitted mouthpieces move the jaw forward and prevent the soft palate from collapsing. Patients often report greater compliance with oral appliance than the CPAP because it is easier to use. Greater compliance with using your appliance helps to reduce your health risk factors and ensures you get better sleep.
In some cases it may be necessary to combine treatment options. At Sleep Better Columbus we dedicate ourselves to finding the best solutions for our sleep apnea patients. We tailor our sleep apnea therapy to each patient to address their individual needs and concerns. If you or someone you love suffers from sleep apnea, or feel may be suffering from it, please contact Dr. Levy for a screening consultation.
Is sleep apnea dangerous? Call Sleep Better Columbus at (614) 362-7292 to discuss your risk factors.
Snoring is extremely common among adults. Half of people snore at least some point in their lives. Statistics show that around 25% of people snore habitually. Maybe you have a partner that’s keeping you up at night, or maybe you snore and you don’t even know it! Snoring is so common that people often overlook the fact that it’s not a healthy sign. Despite popular belief, snoring doesn’t mean you’re sleeping deeply. It is often a sign of a problem.
There are several sleep conditions associated with snoring, but one of the biggest is a condition called sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is categorized as a sleep disorder, and it involves the throat. When a person has sleep apnea, the muscles in the back of the throat don’t do a great job at keep the airway open. This doesn’t make for the best night’s sleep. Oftentimes, a person will stop breathing for up to 10 seconds while the throat is closing up. This leads to issues with blood pressure and it leads to a terrible night’s sleep. If you snore and you wake up exhausted every morning, you might have it.
If you suspect that you might have sleep apnea, it’s good to be seen for it. The sooner you can get it diagnosed, the sooner you can work on eliminating it. If you are diagnosed, it’s no time to panic. The National Sleep Foundation says that more than 18 million Americans have sleep apnea – and that isn’t even including all of the other countries! It is extremely common. And the good news? It is completely curable.
Sleep apnea can occur for several reasons in many different types of people. No one is excluded from getting sleep apnea, but certain groups of people do have a higher risk of getting it. Certain risk factors for sleep apnea include (but are not limited to):
Small upper airways
Obesity
Diabetes
Family history
A small jaw
A recessed chin
Smoking
Excessive alcohol use
Age (40 and over)
Ethnicity (Hispanics, African-Americans, and Pacific Islanders have a higher risk)
What Are the Symptoms of Sleep Apnea?
As we’ve discussed, snoring is usually the tell-tale symptom of sleep apnea. But did you know that there are other symptoms to look out for? Some of these symptoms include:
Once you are properly diagnosed (make sure you see a professional – don’t diagnose yourself!) it is time to take action. Sleep apnea doesn’t go away on its own. Dietary changes or medical interventions are needed if you want more energy and better sleep. When you’re presented with your options, it can be overwhelming. Every medical professional will have their own opinion, and it can be difficult to choose what you want your next steps to be. First, let’s take a look at the options that will be presented to you.
Lifestyle changes.
The most common change you will be asked to make is with your lifestyle. People often have sleep apnea due to an unhealthy diet and a lack of exercise. After a certain age, losing weight becomes much more difficult. There are quite a few options to look at when trying to lose weight. If you haven’t started with your diet and mobility, you will be asked to do that first.
Sleep apnea diets can be a large change for some people. Certain foods need to be avoided, and other foods need to be consumed much more frequently. A diet high that’s high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains is essential, and the avoidance of heavy, greasy foods is also highly recommended. Alcohol needs to be completely cut out of your diet if you want to lose weight and feel healthy. Foods high in saturated fats often lead to obesity, so you’ll need to cut out things like red meat and fast food. Quitting smoking will also come highly recommended.
You’ll also be asked to exercise at least 30 minutes per day. This can be anything from taking a walk each day to doing high-intensity cardio. You should always start small, especially if you’ve been sedentary. Nothing deters an exercise routine like going “all in” immediately, only to disappoint yourself and quit. Start small and gradually increase your cardio at your own pace until you’re comfortable.
If you have given diet and exercise a real try but it isn’t curing your sleep apnea, other measures will be taken.
A CPAP.
CPAP machines are extremely popular for the sleep apnea population. It’s essentially a mask that you wear at bedtime every single night. It covers your nose and mouth and gently pushes air through a tube so that you get a steady source of oxygen throughout the night. These work wonderfully for some people. For others, they’re a great challenge. For one thing, they’re not exactly easy on your partner. They’re often quite loud. They’re also uncomfortable and they limit your sleeping positions. People with sensitive skin may also have problems with a CPAP, as it can be aggressive around the nose and mouth area.
Oral appliances.
Oral appliances are often preferable to the CPAP because they’re less invasive. Dental devices can help with the positioning of your jaw when you’re sleeping, allowing more air to flow through your throat. These kinds of options can be wonderful for people who don’t tolerate the CPAP or who don’t want to try the CPAP. Not only are they less invasive, they’re also much easier to use. Oral appliances like the ones at Sleep Better Columbus (614-362-7292) could greatly reduce or eliminate the symptoms of sleep apnea and improve the quality of your life.
You’ll certainly have your pick when it comes to sleep apnea interventions. You’re not going to have to try anything you’re uncomfortable with. Sleep apnea can be a little scary. The good news is that with proper care, you’ll be just fine.
Call Sleep Better Columbus at 614-362-7292 for a free consultation and friendly options.
