What is Sleep Apnea

The web offers a wide range of sleep apnea information sources. Below is a short description of the disorder, its causes and complications. A list of the top sleep apnea information sources is available on our Resources page.

Sleep Apnea is a condition that is as common as adult diabetes, affecting approximately 10% of the population. The disorder is characterized by repeatedly occurring intervals in breathing during sleep lasting a minimum of 10 seconds each. Clinically significant levels of sleep apnea are defined as five or more episodes per hour. Risk factors include being male, over the age of forty and overweight, although it can strike anyone at any age, even children.

There are three distinct forms of sleep apnea, with OSA (Obstructive Sleep Apnea) being the most prevalent form (approximately 84% of cases). OSA is caused by a blockage of the airway, usually when the soft tissue at the rear of the throat collapses and closes during sleep. With each apnea episodes, the brain briefly arouses the person in order for them to resume breathing, but consequently sleep is extremely fragmented and of poor quality.

The individual with sleep apnea is rarely aware of having difficulty breathing, even upon awakening. Rather, the disorder is recognized by others who witness the episodes or through its effects on the body, such as daytime sleepiness and extreme fatigue. The disorder can only be fully diagnosed with an overnight sleep study (polysomnogram).

Sleep Apnea leads to a general deterioration in the quality of personal and professional life, as well as increased morbidity (the severe form raises the risk of dying early by 46%), due to a highly increased risk of stroke, congestive heart failure, high blood pressure, diabetes, asthma, memory loss, weight gain, impotency, fatal car accidents and other serious conditions.

Fortunately, sleep apnea can be diagnosed and treated. Besides lifestyle changes, such as losing weight or avoiding alcohol, there are several treatment options including surgery, but the most common solution for moderate to severe sleep apnea is Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) treatment.

The CPAP treatment stops the patient’s sleep apnea by delivering a stream of compressed air created by a flow generator that is connected via a hose to a facial mask. This keeps the airway open under the air pressure, which is adjusted so that it is just strong enough to stop the airways from briefly getting too constricted during sleep. This allows for unobstructed breathing, reducing apneas and sometimes preventing them altogether.

Despite the obvious risks, the vast majority of those who have the condition remain undiagnosed due to a lack of public and professional awareness. In the US, for example, only 20% of patients have been diagnosed, while the rest of the world averages out at a 2-3% diagnosis rate.

Another big problem is that roughly half of those who have already been diagnosed with moderate to severe apnea stop their CPAP treatment after giving it a short try. They risk their lives every day because they simply cannot get used to sleeping with the uncomfortable CPAP masks that exist today.

If you would like more information about the causes and risks of Sleep Apnea, please visit our Sleep Apnea Resources page.