• 1Make Sleep a Priority (VIDEO)
  • 2Why Do We Need Sleep?
  • 3We Sleep in Cycles
  • 4How Much Do We Need?
  • 5Your Inner Clock
  • 6In Your Dreams
  • 7Sleep Helps Your Body Rebuild
  • 8Sleep Helps You Remember
  • 9Sleep Helps You Fight Illness
  • 10Sleep and Your Weight
  • 11Sleep Fights Weight Gain
  • 12Sleep Keeps You Alert
  • 13Sleep Helps Control Stress
  • 14Could You Have Sleep Apnea?
  • 15The Dangers of Sleep Apnea
  • 16Why Kids Need Their Sleep
  • 17Seniors Need Sleep
  • 18Best Bets at Bedtime: Food
  • 19Best Bets at Bedtime: Drink
  • 20Best Bets at Bedtime: Exercise
  • 21Best Bets at Bedtime: Other Activities
  • 22Sleep Gadgets and Gear
CHAPTER 15

The Dangers of Sleep Apnea

This breathing disorder can interrupt sleep dozens of times a night, without the sufferer knowing.

PART 1

What is Sleep Apnea?

Obstructive sleep apnea can rob a person of health, alertness, mood and quality of life without the sufferer knowing its cause. People who have OSA cannot breathe freely during sleep because their airway becomes partially or totally blocked. The lack of oxygen sets off an alarm in the brain, and causes the sleeper to wake up and fight for breath. The need to sleep cuts off breathing, and the need to breathe disrupts sleep. It is a nightlong battle, and the person fighting it rises in the morning feeling exhausted, but does not remember waking up over and over again. READ MORE

OSA sufferers often make snorting and snoring noises as they fight for air. Who is most likely to have obstructive sleep apnea? Obesity is a major risk factor, as overweight people are more likely to have excess tissue that will block their airways and interfere with proper breathing. Also men are at greater risk than women, and those with a family history of sleep apnea are at higher risk. LESS
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PART 2

Just Snoring, or More Serious?

Not everyone who makes snoring and snorting noises has OSA. Some people snore because they have a temporary or partial blockage in the airway. They make noise, but they are still breathing. Those who have OSA are more likely to also wake up feeling exhausted, suffer headaches, and may have dry mouth from the struggle to breathe. READ MORE

If you are fatigued and worried that OSA may be the cause, a sleep specialist can help. A doctor will first examine a person's throat for structural problems that might cause sleep apnea. Sometimes, to get a clear diagnosis, a patient is required to spend the night in a sleep facility for observation. The sleep lab assessment, called polysomnography, measures brain waves, snoring, neck muscle movement, rib cage and abdominal movement, oxygen levels in the arteries, heart rate and blood pressure throughout a night of sleep. LESS
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PART 3

The Importance of Treatment

History Moment
Obstructive sleep apnea was...
Resolving sleep apnea is crucial to your health. Not only does fatigue wear away at your quality of life, but the ravages of sleep loss affect your memory and cardiovascular health. The disruption of your body's natural appetite-control hormones and other metabolic factors can put you at risk of weight gain, which in turn is a cause of sleep apnea—a vicious cycle that could result in obesity or diabetes. READ MORE

Treatment options include the continuous positive air pressure (CPAP) mask which keeps airways open without keeping you awake. There are also some dental devices that will keep your airways open, depending on the nature and severity of your airway blockage. There are also special pillows and belts to keep you on your side, the best sleeping position for easy breathing. LESS
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