Sleep Deprivation, Sleep Apnea, and Your Health

This post was updated with the latest information in November 2025.

Sleep deprivation is officially a national health crisis according to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).¹ In 2016, it was reported that one-third of adults fail to get the recommended seven hours of sleep.² Yet, most Americans view their lack of sleep as a harmless result of stress or their busy lifestyle. In reality, many health problems we experience during our waking life may be direct results of restless nights. 

Sleep deprivation, whether it be related to insomnia or chronic conditions, such as narcolepsy or restless leg syndrome, can cause numerous health-related issues. Sleep loss doesn’t just leave you tired during the day. Frequent lack of quality sleep can also contribute to heart disease, stroke, diabetes, depression, and the early onset of dementia.

While heavy snoring is the most noticeable sign, many other symptoms may indicate sleep apnea is impacting your health:

• Loud, chronic snoring (often disturbing a bed partner).

• Choking, gasping, or observed breathing pauses during sleep.

• Waking up with a very dry mouth or sore throat.

• Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS).

• Difficulty concentrating, memory loss, or "brain fog."

• Morning headaches.

• Irritability, mood swings, or symptoms of depression.

Sleep apnea doesn't just make you tired; it actively harms your internal organs.

Every time your airway collapses, your oxygen saturation levels drop (hypoxia). Your brain, sensing the lack of oxygen, sends a panic signal to your body to wake up and breathe. This sudden jolt triggers your sympathetic nervous system (the "fight or flight" response), leading to:

1. Elevated Blood Pressure: Your heart rate and blood pressure surge with every apnea event, straining the cardiovascular system hundreds of times per night. This is why OSA is a primary risk factor for hypertension, heart attacks, and stroke.

2. Chronic Systemic Inflammation: The repeated stress and oxygen deprivation cause low-grade, chronic inflammation throughout your body. This inflammation contributes to insulin resistance (increasing your risk for Type 2 Diabetes) and further damages the lining of your blood vessels.

In order to diagnose sleep apnea, you must complete an overnight sleep test. There are two options: either a traditional, in-lab sleep study at a nearby clinic or a home sleep test in the comfort of your own bed. In both cases, a monitor tracks sleep behavior and bodily functions, including blood oxygen levels, brain activity, and breathing patterns. These are key indicators that allow physicians to identify what your body is experiencing during moments of disruptive sleep.

Because sleep apnea is caused by an obstruction of the airways during sleep, reducing oxygen to the brain triggers disruptive sleep episodes. Sleep apnea may be the result of a small upper airway or an enlarged tongue. Obesity, smoking, and alcohol are additional triggers.

The treatment for your sleep apnea may vary. That’s why it’s essential to not only diagnose sleep apnea, but also determine its root cause.

If you answer "Yes" to three or more of the following, you may have a high risk of sleep apnea and should consult a physician:

• Snore: Do you snore loudly?

• Tired: Are you frequently tired during the day?

• Observed: Has anyone observed you stop breathing or gasp while asleep?

• Pressure: Do you have high blood pressure?

• BMI: Is your Body Mass Index over 35?

• Age: Are you older than 50?

• Neck: Is your neck circumference large (17 inches for men, 16 for women)?

• Gender: Are you male?

The treatment for your sleep apnea may vary based on its severity and root cause.

1. Lifestyle Changes: For mild cases, doctors may recommend quitting smoking, reducing alcohol consumption, or achieving a healthy weight.

2. Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP): This is the gold standard for moderate-to-severe OSA. A CPAP machine delivers pressurized air through a mask throughout the night to gently keep the airways open, eliminating apnea episodes and restoring deep sleep.

3. Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT): For patients with mild-to-moderate OSA who cannot tolerate CPAP, a custom-fitted dental appliance can be effective. It works by slightly adjusting the position of the jaw to keep the airway open.

CPAP technology is constantly improving, focusing on comfort, data tracking, and ease of use. If you have older equipment, it may be time to upgrade to a newer, smarter machine.

Our Current Top Recommendations:

• Resmed AirSense 11 AutoSet: The current flagship machine. It features an integrated heated humidifier, advanced event detection, and personalized coaching through the connected MyAir App, which provides daily sleep scores and feedback. 

• Travel CPAP Machines: The biggest trend is portability. Lightweight, compact devices like the Resmed AirMini fit in the palm of your hand and weigh less than 2 lbs. They offer all the necessary features, making travel CPAP therapy seamless. 

1. 

   Resmed AirSense 11 AutoSet CPAP Machine with Heated Humidifier

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   Resmed AirMini Travel CPAP Machine

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Our team at The CPAP Shop is here for you. We are happy to answer all your questions and help guide you in picking the machine that best fits your needs. Give us a call at 866.414.9700 or start browsing our full selection of CPAP machines and masks today.

1. CDC declares sleep deprivation a health crisis. WCTV. 2019 Jan 3.
2. CDC. Sleep and sleep disorders. https://www.cdc.gov/sleep/index.html. 2017 May 2.