Can Sleep Apnea Kill You? Uncovering the Truth
By Dr. Nikita Toshi +2 more
Medically reviewed by Dr. Nikita Toshi
Last updated: Apr 17, 2024Click to rate this article!
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By Dr. Nikita Toshi +2 more
Medically reviewed by Dr. Nikita Toshi
Last updated: Apr 17, 2024Table of Contents
Today, we shall read about the subject of sleep apnea. Let’s dive together into this subject. You and I will discover what sleep apnea is. We’ll go through its myths and facts. We’ll understand its types too. Also, we will link it to deadly risks. We’ll tackle the fatal side of sleep apnea and available treatments for it. Next, we’ll look at signs that call for medical help. In the end, we’ll talk about the need for early diagnosis and treatment, with a FAQ section to wrap things up.
Before we dig deeper, let’s define sleep apnea. Let’s also debunk some myths about it.
Simply put, sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder. It displays as breathing halts during sleep. These pauses can last for a few seconds to several minutes and happen many times while you sleep. Many people don’t even know they have it because it is so common yet so often missed.
Let’s clarify some false ideas:
Did you know?
Every health issue has its root causes. And sleep apnea does, too. It groups into two main factors.
Several life choices can cause sleep apnea:
Certain conditions up the risk for sleep apnea:
Although very uncommon, it is possible to die during sleep from untreated obstructive sleep apnea. This risk is believed to be higher in people of older age, in people with a critical illness, and in people with severe Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA). If you frequently experience symptoms of sudden awakenings in the middle of the night to gasp air, visit a physician to get the symptoms thoroughly checked.
Dr. Ashish Bajaj, M.B.B.S., M.D. in Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology
You might not know this, but sleep apnea falls into two main types – Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Central Sleep Apnea.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) happens when throat muscles block your airway at times during your sleep.
Factors causing OSA include excess weight, a narrow airway, chronic nasal congestion, and smoking. It shows up as loud snoring, sudden pauses in breathing, and gasping for air during sleep.
Though less common, Central Sleep Apnea (CSA) happens when your brain fails to send the right signals to the breathing-control muscles.
CSA can result from heart failure, stroke, and opioid use. It shows up as shortness of breath, sporadic disruptions of breathing, or having a tough time falling asleep or staying asleep.
Individuals with OSA have nearly a twofold higher risk of sudden death and cardiovascular mortality. Treatments and interventions related to decreasing this risk and other adverse outcomes are necessary to optimise survival.
Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD(Pediatrics)
While sleep apnea itself may not directly cause death, it sure adds to life-threatening health problems if untreated.
Sleep apnea can cause both immediate and long-term health risks.
In the short run, sleep apnea disrupts sleep, causing daytime tiredness and doziness, irritability, anxiety, and mood changes. It also triggers morning headaches and dehydration due to night sweating.
Unaddressed sleep apnea brings high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, depression, and poor cognition in its wake in the long term.
There’s good news! A range of effective treatments exists for sleep apnea. The most fitting choice depends on its severity and root cause.
Dealing with sleep apnea often asks for devices being used for moderate to severe cases.
Common treatments include:
Small life changes can cut mild sleep apnea’s effects. These changes include:
If you think you might have sleep apnea, seek medical help right away. When it’s about your health, better safe than sorry, right?
Show up at a doctor’s office if you spot anything odd about your sleep or wake cycles. Get help if you’ve seen a pattern of loud snoring, frequent wakings, extreme daytime fatigue, morning headaches, or trouble focusing.
After our joint exploration of sleep apnea, remember these key points. Firstly, sleep apnea is common, posing a widespread concern. Secondly, not diagnosing or managing sleep apnea risks serious health issues up to and including premature death. But remember the good news: early detection and managing sleep apnea cut these risks a lot. Staying aware of symptoms and getting help if needed is crucial. Remember: speaking out is the first step towards a cure and prevention is the best medicine.
Hard to predict, but untreated sleep apnea spikes the risk of serious health conditions. These might shorten life expectancy.
While sleep apnea itself usually doesn’t cause death, complications from it can lead to life-threatening scenarios. Proper treatment, however, reduces these risks.
Ignoring sleep apnea can lead to problems such as high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Plus, your sleep quality worsens, causing daytime tiredness and other issues.
Sleep apnea causes brief cessations in breathing but is not the same as suffocation. However, treating sleep apnea is crucial due to the health risks it carries.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
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