Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition that occurs when the airway repeatedly collapses during sleep, disrupting breathing. According to Arizona, the condition affects about 12% of the U.S. population, with an estimated 47 million people in the U.S. having some form of sleep apnea. When individuals fall asleep, all muscles in the body start to relax, including the soft tissue in the back of the throat and the tongue. Darren Phillips, supervisor of respiratory services at Sanford Health Equip in Bemidji, Minnesota, noted that gravity takes over and pulls that tissue against the back of the throat, creating an obstruction.
Understanding CPAP and Obstructive Sleep Apnea
The gold standard treatment for obstructive sleep apnea is a continuous positive airway pressure machine, commonly known as a CPAP. The device delivers continuous air through a mask worn over either the nose and mouth or just the nose to keep airways open during sleep. According to Phillips, the pressure applied from a CPAP machine acts like an air splint to push soft tissue off the back of the throat and keep the airway open so users get a good breath of oxygen with every breath.
Addressing Sleep Apnea and Insomnia Simultaneously
Patients dealing with both sleep apnea and insomnia face unique treatment considerations. Doctors previously attempted to treat sleep apnea first, but practitioners found they were unsuccessful because it was difficult to convince anyone to use a CPAP who was already struggling with sleep. It is now more common to address both conditions simultaneously, according to Everydayhealth.
The order and pace of treatment remain highly individual and depend on the severity of each condition and personal preferences. While tackling both issues together is ideal, some patients may see dramatic improvements in sleep simply by addressing obstructive sleep apnea. Some patients have found that starting CPAP therapy proved to be a huge game changer in their insomnia, making strides within months.
CPAP therapy significantly improves obstructive sleep apnea by producing lasting reductions in the apnea-hypopnea index, which measures the number of breathing interruptions occurring per hour. In one cited study, people who used a CPAP started with an average of 49.2 events per hour—qualifying as severe obstructive sleep apnea—and ended within the normal range at 3.4 events per hour.
Cardiovascular Risks and Treatment Adherence Challenges
Untreated sleep apnea carries serious health consequences. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cited by Sanfordhealth, people with sleep apnea have an increased risk for cardiovascular diseases including high blood pressure, stroke, coronary heart disease, and irregular heartbeats. Insufficient sleep is also linked to obesity, an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, and depression, while sleep apnea can cause death in rare instances.
Despite the medical benefits, treatment adherence remains a challenge. Up to half of CPAP users quit within the first year due to struggles with the sound and feeling of the machine. Experts suggest that patients give themselves time to adjust to the equipment, noting that it is not normal to fall asleep with something strapped to the face. Desensitization takes time, and health providers utilize follow-ups and multiple mask fittings to help patients find a comfortable device.
