Sleep apnea complications cover a range of conditions, including depression, fatigue, hypertension, sleep deprivation, stroke and even sudden death.
Sleep apnea sounds like a minor ailment: a bit of snoring and a few sleep disturbances: how dangerous can that be? Quite dangerous, actually. Sleep apnea complications include hypertension (high blood pressure), heart failure, coronary artery disease, stroke and sudden death. Sleep apnea also causes sleep deprivation, fatigue and depression, all of which impair quality of life and increase the risk of accidents.
Hypertension and Sleep Apnea
The connection between sleep apnea and hypertension (high blood pressure) is well documented, although the reason the two diseases are connected is unknown. Fifty percent of people with sleep apnea eventually develop hypertension.
High blood pressure increases the risk of stroke or heart failure. It has also been demonstrated that successful treatment of sleep apnea lowers high blood pressure levels.
Congestive Heart Failure and Coronary Artery Disease
Sleep apnea complications may include congestive heart failure and coronary artery disease. Sleep apnea causes oxygen levels in the blood to drop, which puts added strain on the heart, which could lead to heart failure. Sudden death from cardiac complications can occur when both sleep apnea and heart disease are present.
At present, it is unclear whether or not coronary artery disease and heart failure are sleep apnea complications, or if the diseases have a common cause. It is known that many obstructive sleep apnea patients also suffer from congestive heart failure, so the presence of sleep apnea should be seen as a warning sign for heart failure.
Stroke and Sleep Apnea Complications
It is unclear whether stroke belongs in the list of sleep apnea complications, or if it too is a condition often found alongside sleep apnea, but not directly caused by the sleep disorder. Either way, rates of stroke are high amongst people with untreated sleep apnea.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
Rates of gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, seem to be higher in people with sleep apnea. GERD itself is known to worsen sleep apnea symptoms, as stomach acid irritates the throat.
Fatigue and Sleep Deprivation
Sleep deprivation is epidemic in western industrialized countries, where getting by on as little sleep as possible often seems to be a badge of honor. Sleep deprivation has negative effects on people with otherwise normal sleep cycles. For people living with sleep apnea, the effects of sleep deprivation are severe.
The effects of sleep deprivation are not immediately obvious. Lack of sleep causes irritability, memory problems, loss of focus and impaired thinking. Quality of life and work productivity also suffer due to sleep deprivation.
Sleep deprivation also increases the risk of accidents, including when driving or operating heavy machinery. While no one knows for sure how many car accidents result from drowsy driving, estimates suggest at least 100,000 automobile accidents a year are directly attributable to sleep deprivation.
Bed partners of sleep apnea sufferers are also affected by sleep apnea complications. Snoring and apneas disrupt the sleep cycles of bed partners, leaving them susceptible to fatigue, depression, irritability and sleep deprivation. Successful sleep apnea treatment often results in an improvement in the well-being of sleep partners as well as sleep apnea patients.
Disclaimer: The information contained within this article is for informational purposes only, and is not intended to be a substitute in any way for care and treatment by a qualified health professional.
Resources:
Drowsy Driving. (n.d.). 2007 State of the States Report on Drowsy Driving.
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (updated 4 October 2006). Sleep Apnea: Complications.
Sleep Disorder Channel. (1 December 2000). Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Signs and Symptoms, Complications.
MedicineNet. (reviewed 20 September 2005). Why is it Important to Treat Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
