The term "apnea" comes from the Greek word apnoi;. a-, without ; -pnoia, breathing, so it literally means "without breathing." People with sleep apnea cease breathing when sleeping, often for extended periods of time. Three different types of sleep apnea have been identified and all of them have negative effects on the body, ranging from high blood pressure to cardiovascular disease.
The Three Types of Sleep Apnea and Sleep Apnea Statistics
Obstructive sleep apnea, OSA, is the most common form of apnea and occurs when the throat muscles relax (upper airway collapse), causing obstruction and preventing a person from taking in air. Apneic episodes can last from 10 seconds to over 30 seconds, sometimes longer and can reoccur hundreds of times in one night.
Central sleep apnea, CSA, is caused when the brain fails to send the signal to take a breath. As a result, the breathing muscles that respond to the stimulus remain dormant. Central sleep apnea is less common, occurring in only 5% of cases. Mixed sleep apnea, MSA, or complex sleep apnea, is a combination of both obstructive and central sleep apnea.
According to MedicineNet.com, statistics for OSA are quite startling:
- Only 10% of people with OSA receive treatment.
- Men are more likely to have OSA than women (before the age of 50).
- Of patients with heart disease, 30-50% have OSA.
- 60% of stroke victims have sleep apnea.
- Studies showed that of NFL players, 14% of footballers and 34% of linemen have OSA.
The National Institutes of Health says that more than 12 million Americans suffer with sleep apnea. Obesity, being of African American, Hispanic or Pacific Islander descent, smoking, high blood pressure, people with physically smaller airways or large necks and having a family member with sleep apnea are all risk factors for the development of sleep apnea.
Effects of Sleep Apnea on the Body
Aside from exhaustion due to sleep deprivation, the main concern with sleep apnea is oxygen deprivation. Combined, oxygen and sleep deprivation significantly impact activities of daily living. The medical and long term side effects of sleep apnea can be significant.
Studies have shown that patients with sleep apnea may lose cognitive abilities due to neurostructural damage in the brain. A study released on June 07, 2010, detailed how continuous positive airway pressure or CPAP therapy actually increased gray-matter volume in hippocampal and frontal structures, the area of the brain where information is processed.
WebMD suggests that untreated sleep apnea contributes to chronic health issues such as:
- high blood pressure (hypertension)
- stroke
- irregular heart beats; heart failure or heart attacks
- depression
- diabetes
- an increase in ADHD symptoms
- impotence
Simply put, one of the basic needs of the human body is oxygen. Any interruption in the delivery of oxygen will affect all organ systems throughout the body. Long term consequences of oxygen deprivation are dire and include brain damage, cardiac compromise and sudden death syndrome. People with sleep apnea symptoms need to be tested so that therapy can begin as soon as possible.
Sources:
Nabili, Siamak; Verneuil, Andrew; "Sleep Apnea," MedicineNet.com; Nov. 06, 2009; (accessed June 10, 2010).
The National Institutes of Health; "Who is at Risk for Sleep Apnea?" Nhlbi.nih.gov; (accessed June 10, 2010).
Smith, Michael W; "Sleep Apnea," WebMD; Webmd.com; March 02, 2010; (accessed June 10, 2010).
Elizabeth Batt - Elizabeth Batt is a former large animal nurse, certified NREMT, lover of equines and conservationist.
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