What is Sleep Apnea? 

Sleep apnea is a condition in which while you are sleeping, your body stops and restarts breathing many times. There are 2 types of sleep apnea. The first is known as Obstructive Sleep Apnea. This may happen when there is a blockage of your airway while you sleep.

There are some factors that may cause Obstructive Sleep Apnea:

  • These can range from your tongue blocking your airways, large tonsils, a thicker than normal neck, and obesity.
  • Other factors such as age, family history, and lifestyle habits may  increase your risk. 

 

Another type of  sleep apnea is Central Sleep Apnea. Central Sleep Apnea happens when the brain stops sending signals to the muscles that enable you to breathe.

Problems that lead to this may include conditions like:

  • Stroke, spine injury, narcotic painkillers, and being at a higher altitude.
  • A condition known as Cheyne-Stokes Respiration that is usually seen with stroke or heart failure has also been connected with causing Central Sleep Apnea. 

 

Why is sleep apnea so important?

This condition is important because it can lead to other dangerous conditions. Having sleep apnea may lead to increased risk of the following conditions:

  • Asthma
  • Heart disease (such as high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation, heart attack, and stroke)
  • Chronic Kidney Disease
  • Eye problems (such as glaucoma or dry eye disease)
  • Type 2 Diabetes

 

How is someone diagnosed?

In many cases of sleep apnea, the condition may go undiagnosed. For a doctor to diagnose someone with sleep apnea, the doctor may ask them to participate in a sleep study.

A sleep study is a study where sensors are placed on the body that measure heart rate, breathing, blood oxygen levels, and brain waves while the patient is sleeping. After this a system called the Apnea Hypopnea Index is filled out by a doctor to determine if you have sleep apnea.

The doctor may also choose to recommend that the patient start a sleep journal. Journals can help them log how many awakenings they had that night or how alert they feel in the morning. 

 

What are some symptoms to look out for?

May be noticed by someone sleeping near you:

  • Breathing that starts and stops while sleeping
  • Loud snoring
  • Gasping for air during sleep

May be noticed by you:

  • Daytime sleepiness
  • Dry mouth and headaches
  • Frequent waking

 

How can sleep apnea be treated?

There are no medications that are approved for the treatment of sleep apnea. Below are some examples of other treatments that have shown success in helping with the symptoms of sleep apnea:

  • Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP):
    • These machines should be worn overnight while you sleep. They blow air into your mouth or nose to keep your airways open.
  • Healthy lifestyle changes and weight management:
    • Regular physical activity has proven to be a good strategy to treat sleep apnea. Keeping healthy eating habits, stress management, and exercising daily can reduce the number of symptoms you may experience.
    • Limiting alcohol and caffeine intake can be helpful as well.
  • Positional therapy:
    • Some patients experience more symptoms of sleep apnea when they sleep on their back.
    • Sleeping on your side and even attaching tennis balls in a long line on your back may help you achieve better sleep and alleviate symptoms of sleep apnea.
  • Oral devices:
    • If you are uncomfortable with CPAP therapy, the doctor may choose to use oral devices that are custom fit to your mouth. These can help open up your airways, allowing you to breathe better at night.
    • These include:
      • Mouth repositioning mouthpieces
      • Tongue Retaining devices

 

Written by: 

Daniel Cannon

PharmD Candidate 2026

Philadelphia College of Pharmacy

 

 

References

Sleep Apnea [Internet]. Mayo Clinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2023 [cited 2024 July 11]. Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/central-sleep-apnea/symptoms-causes/syc-20352109

Gottlieb DJ, Punjabi NM. Diagnosis and Management of Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Review. JAMA. 2020 Apr 14

Central Sleep Apnea [Internet]. MedlinePlus. National Library of Medicine. 2023 Aug 8 [cited 2024  July 11]. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003997.htm#:~:text=Central%20sleep%20apnea%20results%20when,the%20brainstem%2C%20which%20controls%20breathing.

Sleep Apnea [Internet]. National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. 2022 March 24 [ cited 2024 July 11]. Available from: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/sleep-apnea/causes

Cornejo C. How Does Sleep Apnea Affect Diabetes? Healthline [Internet]. 2022 June 8 [cited 2024 July 11]. Available from: https://www.healthline.com/health/diabetes/sleep-apnea-and-diabetes#common-in-type-2-diabetes

Abuyassin B, Sharma K, Ayas NT, Laher I. Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Kidney Disease: A Potential Bidirectional Relationship? J Clin Sleep Med. 2015 Aug 15;11

https://www.ncoa.org/adviser/sleep/sleep-apnea-statistics/#:~:text=The%20risk%20increases%20between%20ages,than%20women%20to%20have%20OSA

Sleep Apnea Statistics and Facts you Should Know [Internet]. National Council on Aging. 2024 May 08 [cited 2024 July 11]. Available from :https://www.ncoa.org/adviser/sleep/sleep-apnea-statistics/#:~:text=The%20risk%20increases%20between%20ages,than%20women%20to%20have%20OSA

Obstructive Sleep Apnea [Internet] StanfordHealthcare. Stanford Medicine. [cited 2024 July 11]. Available from:

https://stanfordhealthcare.org/medical-treatments/b/behavioral-measures-for-treating-sleep-disordered-breathing.html