Sleep Apnea

Quality sleep is important for your health. But sleep conditions like sleep apnea can prevent you from getting the rest you need. Sleep apnea causes your breathing to stop and start during sleep causing you to wake up feeling tired and drained during the day. 

Don’t let sleep apnea control your nights - or your days. Learn more and take the first step toward better sleep.

What is sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is a common but serious sleep disorder that causes people to stop breathing repeatedly during sleep. The number of interruptions can range from five to 100 or more times an hour. These interruptions can last 10 to 20 seconds or longer.

When you stop breathing, your brain notices that your body isn’t getting enough oxygen. This triggers a survival reflex that wakes you up just enough to start breathing again. Even though this reflex helps you breathe, it interrupts your sleep cycle. This prevents you from getting quality sleep. 

Types of sleep apnea

There are three types of sleep apnea. Each type has different causes and effects. 

Obstructive sleep apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common type of sleep apnea. It’s estimated that nearly one billion people around the world have OSA. 

This sleep disorder happens when the muscles in the back of your throat relax too much while sleeping. This relaxation blocks your airway, making it hard for air to get into your lungs. As a result, your breathing stops for a few seconds or more. 

People with OSA usually snore loudly. Sometimes, they may gasp or choke for air. These breathing pauses prevent them from reaching the deeper stages of sleep, which is important for feeling rested and refreshed.

In some instances, particularly in children, large tonsils can be a cause OSA. Please who are overweight or have a thick neck are also at increased risk. 

Central sleep apnea

Central sleep apnea (CSA) is a less common type. It happens when your brain doesn’t send the proper signals to the muscles that control your breathing. This can cause your breathing to stop, but it’s not because your airway is blocked. 

People with CSA don’t usually snore and the condition can be harder to diagnose. However, like OSA, it can still cause poor sleep and daytime sleepiness.   

People with a history of heart failure or stroke have an increased risk of CSA.

Complex sleep apnea syndrome

Complex sleep apnea syndrome, also called treatment-emergent central sleep apnea, is a combination of both OSA and CSA. People with complex sleep apnea first have OSA. When they are treated with a machine called a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure), they may develop CSA. This condition requires special treatment to handle both parts of the disorder. 

Take an assessment

Find out if you are at risk by taking our free online sleep apnea assessment.

If you think you have sleep apnea, see your health care provider or a Banner Health specialist. Treatment can ease your symptoms and prevent other complications. 

Why sleep apnea matters

Sleep apnea is more than just snoring or feeling tired during the day. It can have far-reaching consequences for your physical and mental health. 

Health risks

• Heart disease and stroke: Sleep apnea strains the cardiovascular system. Every time you stop breathing, your oxygen levels drop, making your heart work harder to pump blood and deliver oxygen to your body. Over time, sleep deprivation increases the risk of high blood pressure (hypertension), irregular heart rhythms, heart attacks and stroke.
• Weight gain and diabetes: Sleep apnea has also been linked to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. When you don’t get enough sleep, your body has trouble controlling blood sugar levels. This can lead to weight gain, another factor that increases the risk of diabetes. People with sleep apnea might feel hungrier and have trouble controlling their appetite, which can lead to overeating. 
• Mental health: Not getting enough restful sleep can make you grumpy and upset. Chronic sleep deprivation can heighten feelings of anxiety, irritability and depression. It can also make it harder to handle stress and balance your mood. Left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to long-term mental health problems. 
• Memory and focus: When you don’t get enough deep sleep, it can be hard to concentrate and remember things. Sleep apnea can make your brain foggy. You may find it hard to think clearly. This can affect how well you do in school and work. It can also increase your risk of car accidents due to impaired alertness. 

If you think you may have sleep apnea, don’t wait to get help. Talk to your health care provider or Banner Health specialist today to get properly diagnosed. Getting the care you need can improve your sleep, health and quality of life.

Take control of your sleep

Sleep apnea can affect your health in many ways, but it’s treatable. Learn more about how sleep apnea could be affecting your health.

Symptoms, causes and risk factors: There are many symptoms that may show you have sleep apnea. Learn more about the common signs of sleep apnea, what causes it and who is most at risk.

Testing and diagnosis: There are a variety of tests available to determine your diagnosis, including at-home testing to allow you to be comfortable and get the best test results. Find out how sleep apnea is diagnosed.

Treatment options: Explore the various treatment options for sleep apnea, from lifestyle changes to CPAP and other medical devices to surgery.