Sleep apnea

Written by Alexis Sekula, BSN, RN, TAMUCC FNP-Student (Graduation May 2024)

Sleep apnea is one of the most common sleep-related breathing disorders (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, 2022). This disorder causes repeated lapses in breathing as a result of a blockage in your airway (Cleveland Clinic, 2022). Sleep apnea affects about 3 % of people of normal body weight and over 20% of obese people (Johns Hopkins Medicine, 2022). 

Why does this matter? 
The blockage of the airway results in decreased oxygen levels and the build of carbon dioxide levels which triggers a survival reflex that wakes you up to correct the obstruction (Cleveland Clinic, 2022). Sleep apnea does not only impact sleep quality but, uncorrected sleep apnea can lead to serious health problems such as increased cardiovascular disease, hypertension, stroke, and metabolic disease (Cleveland Clinic, 2022).

What happens to the body? 
Blockage of the airways leads to carbon dioxide retention in the bloodstream. This causes a problem as this will decrease the body’s ability to exchange carbon dioxide for oxygen.

What are the symptoms of sleep apnea? 
#1 symptom is snoring or pauses in breathing while asleep. Other symptoms include daytime sleepiness, mood changes, disruption in brain function, insomnia, night sweats and feeling restless at night, sexual dysfunction, waking up feeling short of breath, headaches - especially when waking up (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, 2022). 

How do I know if I have sleep apnea? 
Your PCP can perform a physical evaluation and order a sleep study. 
Treatment for sleep apnea should be coordinated with your primary care provider. The most common treatment is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). Studies have shown that regular use of CPAP reduces blood pressure, lowers the risk of stroke, heart attack, and blood glucose, and improves daytime sleepiness (Johns Hopkins Medicine, 2022). 


References
Cleveland Clinic. (2022). Sleep apnea: What it is, causes, symptoms & treatment. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/8718-sleep-apnea
Johns Hopkins Medicine. (2022, November 1). The dangers of uncontrolled sleep apnea. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/the-dangers-of-uncontrolled-sleep-apnea 
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. (2022, March). What is sleep apnea? NHLBI, NIH. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/sleep-apnea
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. (2022, March). Sleep apnea-symptoms? NHLBI, NIH.
https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/sleep-apnea/symptoms