Table of Contents
What causes sleep apnea in females?
In adults, the most common cause of obstructive sleep apnea is excess weight and obesity, which is associated with the soft tissue of the mouth and throat. During sleep, when throat and tongue muscles are more relaxed, this soft tissue can cause the airway to become blocked. Sleep Apnea and Stress The blocked airways that result from obstructive sleep apnea are caused by the abnormal relaxation of the throat muscles during sleep. Stress does not cause obstructive sleep apnea directly, but it can worsen your symptoms. “Stress can make some of the symptoms of sleep apnea worse. Obstructive sleep apnea can also contribute to weight gain and obesity. Research has shown that approximately 40 percent of the people living with obesity also have obstructive sleep apnea, and 70 percent of people with obstructive sleep apnea are obese. Sleep apnea is a serious medical condition. Complications of OSA can include: Daytime fatigue. The repeated awakenings associated with sleep apnea make typical, restorative sleep impossible, in turn making severe daytime drowsiness, fatigue and irritability likely. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been associated with psychiatric pathology. Psychiatric comorbidity in OSA may affect patient quality of life and adherence to CPAP.
How does sleep apnea affect women?
Women with OSA complain of symptoms such as insomnia, restless legs, depression, nightmares, palpitations, and hallucinations whereas men are more likely to report snoring and apneic episodes [7]. Women may consider their own snoring “unladylike” and therefore be less likely to mention it [4]. Sleep apnea is a serious medical condition. Complications of OSA can include: Daytime fatigue. The repeated awakenings associated with sleep apnea make typical, restorative sleep impossible, in turn making severe daytime drowsiness, fatigue and irritability likely. The symptoms of OSA can negatively affect quality of life with frequent awakening from sleep, daytime tiredness (drowsiness at work and during meals), and morning headaches. It can also increase the risk of abnormal heart rhythms, heart attack, high blood pressure, complications after surgery, and stroke. Now, researchers have shown a correlation between vitamin D deficiency and a higher rate of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Researchers in Dublin, Ireland reported the higher prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in patients with OSA.
What is the psychological cause of sleep apnea?
Studies show an association between sleep apnea and mental health conditions—with mood, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder, being highly comorbid with sleep apnea, and there are reports of higher risk of sleep apnea in psychosis and schizophrenia as well. In general, obstructive sleep apnea is a chronic condition that does not go away on its own. Nearly 1 in 5 women have sleep apnea, a disorder that affects daytime functioning. But about 9 in 10 women with sleep apnea don’t know they have it. Sleep apnea occurs in about 3 percent of normal weight individuals but affects over 20 percent of obese people, Jun says. In general, sleep apnea affects men more than women. However, sleep apnea rates increase sharply in women after menopause.
Is sleep apnea a hormonal problem?
The study also found that hormones can affect sleep-disordered breathing as well. Endocrine disorders can contribute to or worsen symptoms of sleep apnea, while treatment can help relieve them. Does exercise help sleep apnea too? Fortunately yes, it does! Getting up and moving your body not only helps you look good and feel good, but regular, moderate exercise can support weight loss which may help treat or even prevent your sleep apnea symptoms. The American Sleep Apnea Association estimates that 38,000 people in the United States die each year from heart disease with sleep apnea as a complicating factor. People with sleep apnea have difficulty breathing or stop breathing for short periods while sleeping. This treatable sleep disorder often goes undiagnosed. According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, moderate sleep apnea increases your risk of death by 17%. The impact on life expectancy with untreated severe sleep apnea is even more profound: It roughly doubles your risk of death. Sleep Restriction Can Increase Your Appetite “Sleep apnea patients have significantly higher ghrelin levels, the hormone that makes you feel hungry, and significantly lower leptin levels, the hormone that makes you feel full, Chelsea Rohrscheib, Ph. Sleep apnoea is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular mortality and all-cause sudden death, with a marginally significant dose–response relationship, where those with severe sleep apnoea are at the highest risk of mortality.
What deficiency causes sleep apnea?
Now, researchers have shown a correlation between vitamin D deficiency and a higher rate of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Researchers in Dublin, Ireland reported the higher prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in patients with OSA. B vitamins: Supplementation with B vitamins has been shown to reduce levels of serum homocysteine, an amino acid associated with increased risk of cardiovascular and neurogenerative diseases and shown to be elevated in patients with obstructive sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) occurs when a child stops breathing during sleep. The cessation of breathing usually occurs because there is a blockage (obstruction) in the airway. Obstructive sleep apnea affects many children and is most commonly found in children between 2 and 6 years of age, but can occur at any age. One very common question that revolves around Sleep Apnea is, “Can Skinny People Have Sleep Apnea?” Sleep apnea is often associated with individuals who are overweight. Yet, obesity is not the sole cause of sleep disorders. A slender, healthy person can still suffer from sleep apnea.
Who suffers from sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea can happen to anyone, ranging from infants and children to older adults. Obstructive sleep apnea is more common in certain circumstances and groups of people: Before age 50, it’s more common in men and people assigned male at birth (AMAB). Although sleep apnea can occur during any stage of sleep, it usually occurs during the deepest stages of sleep, when the tissues of the upper airway are the most relaxed. If left untreated, obstructive sleep apnea can shorten your life from anywhere between 12-15 years. While there is no permanent cure for obstructive sleep apnea, diagnosis and treatment will alleviate its effects. Obtain a Prescription You should have a prescription from a doctor to obtain the home sleep apnea test. First, you need to schedule an appointment with your primary care physician or a sleep specialist, who will ask you about your symptoms and pre-screen you for obstructive sleep apnea. Tests to detect sleep apnea include: Nocturnal polysomnography. During this test, you’re hooked up to equipment that monitors your heart, lung and brain activity, breathing patterns, arm and leg movements, and blood oxygen levels while you sleep.
What are the risks of having sleep apnea?
Sudden drops in blood oxygen levels while you sleep can heighten your blood pressure and put stress on your cardiovascular system. Obstructive sleep apnea could also put you more at risk for recurrent heart attacks, strokes, or abnormal heartbeats. Researchers suspect sleep apnea causes abnormal heart rhythms, which lead to sudden cardiac death, for a number of reasons. “Sleep apnea may lower oxygen levels, activate the fight-or-flight response and change pressure in the chest when the upper airway closes, stressing the heart mechanically,” he explains. If left untreated, the effects of sleep apnea can get worse. Sleep is an important part of the body’s recovery process; frequently interrupted sleep can raise stress levels, resulting in high blood pressure and an increased risk of heart disease. Sleep apnea has also been linked to stroke and Type 2 diabetes. Stress can make you more susceptible to a number of medical conditions, including sleep apnea. Do you often toss and turn in your bed after a stressful day? Stress can both affect your sleep quality and increase your risk of having sleep disorders like sleep apnea. Snoring and sleep apnea: Obstructive sleep apnea causes the airways to collapse during sleep, leading to pauses in breathing. It often goes hand-in-hand with snoring. Positioning yourself on your side or stomach can help the airways stay open to reduce snoring and alleviate mild apnea, Salas says.
What are the 2 major factor for sleep apnea?
The Takeaway The major risk factors for obstructive sleep apnea are obesity, a family history of snoring or apnea, and being male. Sleep apnea can happen to anyone, ranging from infants and children to older adults. Obstructive sleep apnea is more common in certain circumstances and groups of people: Before age 50, it’s more common in men and people assigned male at birth (AMAB). According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, moderate sleep apnea increases your risk of death by 17%. The impact on life expectancy with untreated severe sleep apnea is even more profound: It roughly doubles your risk of death. Obstructive sleep apnea can also contribute to weight gain and obesity. Research has shown that approximately 40 percent of the people living with obesity also have obstructive sleep apnea, and 70 percent of people with obstructive sleep apnea are obese. But snoring that is loud, frequent, and accompanied by gasping, choking, or pauses in breathing may be a sign of sleep apnea. With typical snoring, breathing continues uninterrupted. With sleep apnea, though, breathing is repeatedly disrupted, causing multiple partial awakenings. You may or may not already be aware that in-lab sleep studies and at-home sleep tests are a surefire way to get obstructive sleep apnea diagnosed, and cardiologists are licensed to have patients tested for sleep apnea because there are several tell-tale signs of the sleep disorder that could be hiding in your …