Sleep Apnea is an Increasing Health Problem
Key Takeaways
- Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder in which a person repeatedly starts and stops breathing while asleep at night. This disorder causes a number of symptoms and side effects and should be taken seriously.
- There are many causes of sleep apnea and its rise in diagnosis, particularly from obesity, age, and lifestyle choices.
- These factors increase the severity of sleep apnea and can cause serious health risks if left untreated.
What's Driving the Increase in Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is in the headlines, and for good reason. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) cases are growing in both the US and around the world. The American Journal of Epidemiology shows that the estimated rates of obstructive sleep apnea have increased substantially over the last twenty years.¹
OSA is associated with significant comorbidities, including cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome, which further exacerbate its public health impact. The condition is also linked to increased mortality and morbidity. This sleep disorder is often underdiagnosed, with estimates suggesting that a large proportion of cases remain unidentified. This underdiagnosis is problematic because untreated OSA can lead to severe health consequences and increased healthcare costs.
Why are Sleep Apnea Cases Growing?
There are both negative and positive reasons as to the increase in sleep apnea cases. On the negative side, human health is changing. Many of the risk factors that can lead to sleep apnea are becoming commonplace as part of the average health profile. On the positive side, awareness of the sleep disorder is also on the increase. More people are getting tested. Sleep apnea diagnostics are becoming more sophisticated as well. Cases are on the increase as detection becomes more successful.
An Alarming Health Profile
While medical history and family history can contribute to sleep apnea, lifestyle and health are the most prominent contributors to the global increase.
Obesity
A population with a higher body mass increases the risk for sleep apnea. Currently, 70% of Americans are classified as overweight or obese.² How does weight gain affect sleep? When you gain weight, it is not just around the hips or stomach. The fatty tissue around the throat also increases. This additional fatty layer places pressure on the airway during sleep, often causing it to close in frequent instances or “apneas.” Also, an increase in fatty tissue in general decreases lung volume, making it harder to breathe.
Lifestyle
Other factors affecting the increase in sleep apnea are the more habitual use of alcohol and nicotine as part of daily lifestyle. Alcohol sales per capita went up more from 2019 to 2021 than in any two-year period since 1969, according to estimates from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.³
Both substances can interrupt healthy sleep in different ways. Alcohol, while seeming like the ideal nighttime sedative, disrupts normal breathing during sleep and relaxes the airway which can promote sleep apnea episodes. Smoking can irritate the airway which can lead to more frequent apneas. This is why smokers are three times more likely to have sleep apnea than nonsmokers.
An Aging Population
Not all the factors affecting sleep apnea are due to health and habit. Improvements in medical technology and treatment means that people simply live longer. Age is another contributing factor affecting sleep apnea. The reason is a decrease in muscle strength in the upper airway as we get older, which means we live to see sleep apnea become a problem in later life. Fifty-six percent of people aged 65 and older have a high risk of developing obstructive sleep apnea.⁴ So even with healthy habits and lifestyle, more instances of sleep apnea may begin to show up in doctor’s offices.
Most People Know About Sleep Apnea
With the increase of sleep apnea has come greater sleep apnea awareness. More people than before are aware of the sleep disorder. With this awareness comes a drive for testing which can result in higher numbers of sleep apnea cases. This is good news for sleep apnea patients, as the condition was typically underdiagnosed in the past.
Improved Diagnostive Detect More Cases
Medical technology has also made it easier to accurately identify sleep apnea as a problem. Previously in-lab overnight sleep studies were required to make an accurate diagnosis. Now, home sleep apnea tests, like Sleep Care Online, can help people determine whether they have sleep apnea in the comfort of their own homes.
While sleep apnea may be on the rise, so is the positive and effective response to diagnosis and treatment. Determining if you have sleep apnea and seeking out recommendations from your doctor or sleep specialist is the first step to healthy sleep and a healthy life.
Diagnosed with Sleep Apnea and Prescribed CPAP Therapy?
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References
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American Academy of Sleep Medicine. September 29, 2014 Rising prevalence of sleep apnea in U.S. threatens public health.
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Obesity Medicine Association. August 2, 2018. Sleep Apnea and Obesity: Are They Related?
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Abella Cueto and J. Emory Parker June 27, 2024. By the numbers: America’s alcohol-related health problems are rising fast
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National Council of Aging. May 20, 2024. Sleep Apnea in Older Adults: Diagnosis and Treatment Options
