Living with undiagnosed and untreated obstructive sleep apnea can be exhausting, as it often leads to constant fatigue and trouble concentrating. This condition may persist for years or even a lifetime. While sleep apnea is relatively easy for medical professionals to diagnose, it’s quite tricky for individuals to identify on their own since the symptoms often resemble those of many other health problems.
Let’s take a closer look at the factors that can contribute to sleep apnea, the early warning signs to watch for, and how a proper diagnosis followed by treatment—such as using CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machines and masks—can transform a person’s quality of life by improving sleep and overall energy.
**What Causes Sleep Apnea?**
During the day, the muscles in our throat naturally work to keep our airways open, allowing us to breathe normally. However, when we sleep, these muscles relax, which can narrow the airway. For someone with sleep apnea, this narrowing can become so severe that breathing stops temporarily, often multiple times a night.
The condition is largely influenced by genetic factors, including the structure of a person’s head, neck, and throat muscles. However, other contributors can lead to these “apneic events,” or temporary breathing stoppages. For instance, enlarged tonsils, excess weight that thickens the airway, and even age-related changes in neurological signaling can play roles. In some cases, the brain’s signals to keep the airway open during sleep may be weaker than usual.
**Common Symptoms of Sleep Apnea**
When breathing is interrupted during sleep—as often as 100 times a night in some cases—the brain is deprived of oxygen. Over time, this can lead to serious health conditions, such as heart disease, stroke, and even cancer. While these long-term risks are critical, the initial symptoms are more subtle but shouldn’t be ignored. Here are the top three common signs:
1. Loud snoring
2. Feeling excessively tired during the day
3. Mental fog or difficulty concentrating
The loud snoring happens because of the partial closure of the throat, while the fatigue and brain fog are caused by insufficient oxygen supply during the night. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to see a doctor who is familiar with sleep apnea and other breathing disorders.
Estimates suggest that around 100 million people worldwide suffer from sleep apnea, yet only about 20% of them have been formally diagnosed and are undergoing treatment. The low diagnosis rate is understandable because the symptoms can easily be mistaken for other issues or chalked up to lifestyle factors. However, proper medical testing is the only way to confirm sleep apnea and begin treatment.
**How Is Sleep Apnea Diagnosed and Treated?**
If a physician suspects sleep apnea, they’ll typically recommend a sleep study. During this test, the patient spends the night at a sleep clinic, where their breathing and oxygen levels are monitored by trained professionals. The setup includes wearing nasal tubing and other non-invasive tools connected to monitoring equipment to track how often breathing stops and how long those episodes last.
Once the results are analyzed, if sleep apnea is confirmed, treatment usually begins with a CPAP machine. These devices deliver a steady flow of air pressure while the person sleeps, preventing their throat from closing. Many CPAP machines come with features like built-in humidifiers to maintain moisture levels and avoid dryness in the nose, mouth, or throat.
Adapting to CPAP therapy might feel strange at first, especially since the machine requires wearing a mask during sleep. However, most patients adjust fairly quickly. Modern CPAP masks are designed with comfort in mind, often including padding, and there are many styles to accommodate individual preferences and needs. Finding the right mask with the help of a doctor or equipment specialist is key to ensuring a proper seal and effective therapy.
The machines themselves are compact and fairly quiet in modern designs, which makes them less disruptive to sleep. Some even come with capabilities to track sleep data, allowing patients and their physicians to monitor progress and adjust settings as needed.
While the initial adjustment period may feel challenging, the benefits of CPAP therapy are undeniable. Patients often report significantly deeper, more restful sleep, improved energy levels, and sharper focus during the day. Many find it to be a life-changing improvement.
**Taking the Next Step**
For some causes of sleep apnea, like enlarged tonsils or obesity, lifestyle changes or surgeries may help. However, for most people, the condition is genetically driven, making CPAP therapy the go-to solution. If you’re showing any of the warning signs of sleep apnea, it’s essential to consult your doctor. The sooner you’re diagnosed, the sooner you can start a treatment plan that restores your energy and improves your health—so you can get back to living life to the fullest.