Sleep apnea is a disorder that causes a person to stop breathing during their sleep repeatedly. It can result in severe health consequences and can be a contributing factor for many diseases.

Untreated sleep apnea has long term effects on the body, and the consequences are often debilitating. In this article, we will discuss the relationship between sleep apnea and the risk of developing various health conditions and diseases.

What is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea occurs when a person’s airflow is reduced or stopped during sleeping due to a blocked airway or a failure of the brain to signal the breathing muscles to breathe. There are three types of sleep apnea:.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)

This is the most common type of sleep apnea and occurs when the throat muscles relax during sleep, blocking the airway.

It causes snoring, gasping, or choking during sleep and can lead to breathing pauses that can last from a few seconds to several minutes.

Central sleep apnea (CSA)

This type of sleep apnea occurs when the brain fails to signal the breathing muscles to breathe. It is a rare type of sleep apnea and mostly occurs in people with underlying medical conditions such as heart failure, stroke, or brain tumors.

Complex sleep apnea syndrome (CompSA or mixed sleep apnea)

This type of sleep apnea is a combination of OSA and CSA.

Sleep Apnea and Cardiovascular Disease

Studies have shown that sleep apnea can contribute to the development of various cardiovascular diseases. The most common cardiovascular diseases that are associated with sleep apnea are:.

Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)

Sleep apnea is a known factor contributing to hypertension in people. This happens due to the cyclic changes in the blood oxygen levels that tend to affect heart rate, blood pressure, and blood vessels in the body.

During sleep apnea, the oxygen levels in the blood drop temporarily, which activates the sympathetic nervous system, thereby increasing the heart rate and blood pressure.

Heart Failure

Sleep apnea can induce heart failure by causing a decrease in the oxygen levels in the blood.

The reduced blood oxygen levels and elevated carbon dioxide levels cause increased blood pressure in the arteries which, over time, can lead to an enlargement of the heart muscle. Chronic changes to the heart muscle can cause the heart to become weaker and more prone to failure.

Arrhythmias

Studies have shown that people with sleep apnea are more likely to have arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation. These arrhythmias can result in palpitations, irregular heartbeats, and increase the risk of sudden death.

Stroke

Sleep apnea is associated with an increased risk of ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke. Ischemic stroke is caused by the blood supply to the brain being blocked, and hemorrhagic stroke is caused by bleeding from a ruptured blood vessel in the brain.

The decreased oxygen levels in the blood can cause inflammation and other factors that contribute to the formation of clots and atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). This can increase the risk of stroke.

Sleep Apnea and Diabetes

Obstructive sleep apnea is known to be a contributing factor to type 2 diabetes.

Studies have shown that people with sleep apnea have a significantly higher risk of developing insulin resistance and glucose intolerance, which are leading causes of type 2 diabetes. Sleep apnea also leads to an increase in the release of stress hormones, which stimulates the body to produce more glucose. This can cause a rise in blood sugar levels, leading to diabetes.

Sleep Apnea and Obesity

Obesity is a well-known contributing factor for sleep apnea. However, sleep apnea can also lead to an increase in weight gain and obesity.

During sleep apnea, the body gets jolted out of deep sleep, and the levels of leptin, a hormone that suppresses appetite, decrease, and a hormone that increases appetite, ghrelin, increases. These changes in hormone levels lead to increased hunger and appetite, which can cause overeating and weight gain.

Sleep Apnea and Depression

Sleep apnea can cause daytime sleepiness, leading to an overall reduction in energy levels, which can significantly impact mental health.

Moreover, sleep apnea is associated with an increased risk of depression, which can lead to further development of sleep apnea. Depression is also associated with weight gain, which can exacerbate sleep apnea and increase the severity of the condition.

Conclusion

Untreated sleep apnea can lead to severe health consequences and can be a contributing factor for various diseases.

Therefore, it is essential to seek medical attention for sleep apnea if you experience symptoms such as snoring, gasping, or choking during sleep, lethargy, daytime sleepiness, morning headaches, or difficulty concentrating during the day. Getting treatment for sleep apnea can help reduce the risk of developing severe health conditions and improve overall health and quality of life.