Sleep apnea increases risk of heart disease, stroke — 7 signs you have it
Roughly 39 million Americans suffer from a condition that can mean major health problems down the line — but many have no idea they’ve got it.
Despite the soaring numbers, experts say 85% to 90% don’t realize it’s an issue, and one population in particular is dangerously underdiagnosed.
A doctor broke down the basics of the disorder with The Post and listed some of the more subtle signs to look out for.
The problem? Sleep apnea, which causes breathing to stop and start repeatedly during slumber, typically due to intermittent airway obstruction at the back of the throat.
During these sudden and frequent interruptions, the brain and body are briefly jolted awake, and the cumulative effect ranges from distracting to devastating.
“Fragmented sleep can lead to several uncomfortable side effects, including fatigue, memory and concentration issues, and mood disturbances,” Dr. Andrea Matsumura, AKA the Sleep Goddess, a sleep medicine physician and menopause expert, told The Post.
“Beyond this, untreated sleep apnea increases one’s risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, depression and even cognitive decline.”
Because it can cause such serious problems down the line, Matsumura said sleep apnea should be viewed and treated as a whole-body health issue, not just a sleep disorder.
While it’s is underdiagnosed in general, Matsumura said that women over 50 are more likely to have their symptoms dismissed or misdiagnosed, in part because their symptoms tend to fall beyond the loud snoring commonly observed in men.
“Women experience insomnia, fatigue, morning headaches, mood changes, or weight gain more than they do snoring and gasping for air,” she said.
Unfortunately, these symptoms are often chalked up to stress, regular signs of aging, or hormonal changes rather than a sleep disorder.
“Because of this, many women go undiagnosed or are diagnosed much later than men, which is a huge issue as they are missing years of potential treatment and relief,” she explained.
Matsumura noted that while symptoms of sleep apnea vary between men and women, there are seven telltale signs beyond loud, chronic snoring.
She urges people to be on the lookout for:
- Gasping, choking, or pauses in breathing during sleep
- Waking up unrefreshed, even after a full night in bed
- Morning headaches
- Excessive daytime sleepiness or difficulty staying awake
- Mood changes, irritability, or depression
- Weight gain
- Trouble focusing or memory lapses
The most common and effective treatment for sleep apnea is a CPAP machine. The CPAP, which stands for “continuous positive airway pressure,” forces air into the body via a face mask.
However, because the devices are both cumbersome and expensive, many sleep apnea patients don’t use these devices.
There’s currently no drug approved for the treatment of sleep apnea, but the makers of a new pill are hoping to change that.
According to Matsumura, in addition to sleep apnea, women are underdiagnosed with restless legs syndrome (RLS), insomnia, and circadian rhythm disorders.
“The underdiagnosis stems from the fact that women’s symptoms are often more subtle, atypical, or attributed to hormonal changes, and thus not investigated thoroughly,” she said.
Credit to Nypost AND Peoples
