Obstructive sleep apnea is a common but serious condition where the airway becomes repeatedly blocked during sleep, reducing or completely stopping airflow.
The condition occurs when the walls of the throat relax, narrow and collapse during sleep, interrupting normal breathing.
It’s normal for the muscles and soft tissues in the throat to relax to some degree while sleeping. For most people, this doesn’t cause breathing problems.
With sleep apnea, the muscles and soft tissue narrow to the point where airflow is interrupted, meaning that the brain and the rest of the body may not get enough oxygen.
Breathing may stop for up to a minute until the brain registers a lack of oxygen and pulls the sleeper out of deep sleep (to lighter sleep or wakefulness) so the airway reopens and normal breathing resumes.
The sleeper may gasp or snort and fall back to sleep without realising. Repeated episodes may be experienced throughout the night, with episodes occurring every 2-3 minutes in severe cases.
Sleep apnea symptoms and effects
Since sufferers usually have no memory of interrupted breathing (and may be unaware they have a problem), symptoms of sleep apnea are often noticed by a partner, friend or family member.
Symptoms include loud snoring, noisy and laboured breathing and repeated short periods where breathing is interrupted by gasping or snorting.
Some people also experience night sweats and may wake up frequently during the night to urinate.
Poorly controlled sleep apnea can lead to regularly interrupted sleep, increased tiredness during the day and decreased quality of life.
It can also increase the risk of developing certain conditions including: high blood pressure, stroke, heart attack, type 2 diabetes* and an irregular heartbeat.
Depending on the severity, you may also be advised to stop driving until your symptoms are under control.
If you’re diagnosed with sleep apnea, it’s a legal obligation to inform the DVLA, as this is a medical condition which could impact your ability to drive.
What causes sleep apnea?
Risk factors for sleep apnea include:
Being overweight
Excessive body fat increases the bulk of soft tissue in the neck which can place a strain on throat muscles.
Dr. Gary Foster, Chief Scientific Officer at WW International, says: “Think about your upper airway from your jawbone to the top of your torso. The more fat in that area, the ‘wobblier’ it becomes and that’s what creates the collapse.”
In addition, excess stomach fat can lead to breathing difficulties and worsen existing sleep apnea symptoms.
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Being male
Sleep apnea is more common in men than women. This may be related to different patterns of body fat distribution.
Being 40 or over
While sleep apnea can occur at any age, it’s more common in people who are over the age of 40.
Being menopausal
Hormone fluctuations during the menopause may cause the throat muscles to relax more than normal.
Having a large neck
Men with a collar size larger than around 43cm (17 inches) have an increased risk for sleep apnea.
Having an unusual inner neck structure
Narrow airways, a small lower jaw, and large tonsils, tongue or adenoids increase the risk of developing sleep apnea.
Nasal congestion
Nasal congestion, such as nasal polyps or a deviated septum (where the nose tissue that divides the two nostrils is bent to one side), may result in the airways becoming narrowed.
Drinking
Consuming alcohol can make snoring and sleep apnea worse, especially if taken before going to bed.
You’re also more likely to develop sleep apnea if you smoke, take medicines with a sedative effects or have a family history of the disorder.