Sleep Apnea: Causes and Concerns of Disruptive Breathing

Sleep apnea is a serious health issue that often goes unrecognized. The disruption of sleep from apneas can lead to high blood pressure, heart attacks and other illnesses. Milder symptoms are numerous also and include headaches and depression. Snoring is a strong indicator of sleep apnea, as is gasping with each episode.

Millions of individuals in all age groups suffer from this common sleep disorder. People at higher risk include those who suffer from obesity, along with a greater percentage of males, especially in particular ethnic groups.

Sleep apneas occur from a few to several hundred times throughout the night. In general, the term refers to a pause in breathing, and most of us experience mild apneas to some extent.

 

In younger children, an apnea can be as brief as two-and-one-half missed breaths. For adults, the event may last as long as one minute, or as little as 10 seconds. Many sufferers experience apneas every few minutes throughout the night, which leads to a reduced quality of life when awake.

When you reach a deep sleep stage, your pulse is slowed and the body's blood vessels become dilated. An abrupt waking during an apnea event jars a person into action. When blood pressure rises at a too-rapid pace, this can add stress to internal organs, particularly the heart.

When breathing stops, a person will waken. That leads to disruption of the deep sleep cycles. In turn, sufferers often feel tired throughout the day and generally exhibit reduced capabilities at work or in school. Children who suffer from apneas are sometimes diagnosed with ADHD-diagnosed incorrectly.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common type of sleep apnea, followed by central apnea and "mixed" apnea, which is a combination of the first two. OSA and central apnea occur in two very separate and distinctive ways.

OSA is indicative of its name. An obstruction occurs in one or more locations in the airways, which causes a blockage. Swollen or malformed nasal passages or a tongue blocking the windpipe can cause an apnea. Throat muscles can relax, causing a collapse. When the airways close, even partially, blood oxygen levels also decrease. In turn, the brain is alerted and causes you to waken. You may never be aware of these episodes. Children with apneas sometimes experience trouble due to adenoids or tonsils.

Central apnea is typically diagnosed in one out of every 10 individuals who seek treatment. Brain signals either fail to activate or are interrupted due to central nervous system involvement. In the case of central apneas, heart disease and other illnesses can be the cause rather than a symptom. While rare in adults by comparison, premature infants undergo a significant rate of central apneas.

Mixed apneas, also referred to as "complex," are rare in adults. In children, breathing may stop briefly throughout any daytime activity as well as at night.

Individuals of all ages and from every ethnicity develop sleep apnea. However, there are also many common genetic and heritage-specific markers that may place a person at risk.

African-Americans and those of Hispanic descent or from the Pacific Islands show a predisposition to apneas. Those with specifically defined upper body structures, such as thicker necks and recessed chins often suffer. Obesity, smoking and the abuse of alcohol also increase a person’s chance of developing apneas.

As people age, they are also at increased risk for a host of sleep disorders, including apnea. Under the age of 50, men at any age are twice as susceptible. Women who reach menopause become equal statistically.

Sleep apnea can lead to complications that range from minor irritations to seriously life-threatening ailments.

These include:

You may not realize how often sleep is disrupted due to apneas. It is often a partner, spouse or parent who first reports excessive snoring that is followed by gasping and then non-movement that lasts a few seconds or longer. You might, however, find yourself waking abruptly from a deep sleep with rapid breathing. Hyperventilating is a recognized symptom of central apnea.

You may or may not experience any of the complications or symptoms listed above. However, fatigue upon waking and a desire to sleep while performing everyday tasks are strong indicators of sleep apnea. There is also an increased risk of being involved in an accident, whether on the job or while operating a vehicle.

While sleep apnea is a treatable disorder, it should be diagnosed by a professional. Many individuals snore or experience other common symptoms that are not related to sleep apnea.

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Mayo Clinic (1998-2007). Sleep Apnea. Retrieved January 24, 2007, from Mayo Clinic Web site: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/sleep-apnea/DS00148.

Sleep Apnea (n.d.). Retrieved January 24, 2007, from Sleep Apnea Web site: http://www.sleepapnea.org/resources/brochure.html.