What is Sleep Apnea Syndrome?

Do you wake up in the middle of the night feeling like you can’t breathe? In the morning, do you feel exhausted, as if you haven’t slept at all? Do you often suffer from headaches, a heavy feeling in your head, excessive sleepiness, irritability, or find it hard to focus on simple tasks? Your loved ones might notice strange behavior while you sleep: loud snoring or sudden awakenings. These symptoms could be signs of sleep apnea, a condition diagnosed in approximately 4% of adults in Ukraine. In this article, you’ll learn what sleep apnea is, its causes, and treatment options.

Diagnosis and treatment of sleep apnea

At the «Doctor Sam» Medical Center, qualified specialists diagnose central, obstructive, and mixed sleep apnea and provide treatment for this potentially dangerous condition.

The clinic is equipped with all necessary diagnostic tools and specialists from related fields who can offer supportive therapies. For example, therapeutic massage and manual therapy improve blood circulation, reduce stress, and enhance overall well-being, positively impacting sleep quality.

What is sleep apnea syndrome and what causes it?

Sleep apnea is a condition characterized by temporary pauses in breathing during sleep, lasting from a few seconds to several dozen seconds. This disorder leads to a drop in blood oxygen levels and can disrupt normal sleep.

There are two main types of sleep apnea, which share similar symptoms and consequences but have different causes:

• Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the airways close due to relaxed throat muscles.
• Central sleep apnea is linked to disrupted signals from the brain to the muscles that control breathing.
• Mixed sleep apnea is a combination of the two.

Sleep apnea syndrome is most common in middle-aged and older men, particularly those who are overweight or obese. The risk is also higher in individuals with hypertension, diabetes, or cardiovascular diseases (we recommend seeing a cardiologist at the first signs of heart disease or if you’re overweight).

However, sleep apnea episodes can also occur in women, especially after menopause, and in children, particularly those with anatomical abnormalities of the upper airways, such as enlarged tonsils or adenoids.

Studies show that obstructive sleep apnea affects about 4% of men and 2% of women, though these rates can vary depending on age and other factors. The prevalence increases significantly in people aged 40 to 60.

Signs of sleep apnea

Common symptoms of sleep apnea during sleep include:

• Loud and regular snoring.
• Breathing pauses during sleep – often noticed by loved ones. If you observe someone stopping breathing for a few seconds before resuming with a heavy gasp, it’s a warning sign.
• Frequent awakenings during the night, multiple times, even without realizing it, possibly due to a sense of choking or brief suffocation.
• Daytime fatigue and sleepiness despite a full night’s sleep.
• Poor concentration.
• High blood pressure.

Some patients with sleep apnea report excessive sweating during sleep, morning headaches, irritability, depression, or anxiety linked to chronic sleep disruption.

If you’re researching what sleep apnea is and how it manifests, you may have noticed alarming symptoms in yourself or a loved one. Don’t ignore them!

What happens during sleep apnea?

When the airways are partially or fully blocked, air stops flowing into the lungs, causing a drop in blood oxygen levels. The brain responds instantly, waking you just enough to resume breathing. These «micro-awakenings» can happen hundreds of times a night, but you may not notice them – you simply wake up feeling tired.

Possible consequences

• Impact on the heart. Each apnea episode stresses the cardiovascular system. The body produces adrenaline and other stress hormones, raising blood pressure. Regular episodes of hypoxia (oxygen deficiency) can lead to hypertension, arrhythmias, or even heart attacks.
• Fatigue and sleepiness. People with apnea often don’t understand why they’re constantly tired, even after sleeping 8 hours. The issue is poor sleep quality due to frequent awakenings they may not notice, leading to daytime drowsiness and an increased risk of accidents, especially while driving. For instance, it’s recognized that one in three car accidents in the U.S. is caused by drivers with apnea and chronic fatigue.
• Weight gain: Studies show that people with apnea are more likely to struggle with excess weight or obesity. They often have «metabolic syndrome» which includes high blood sugar, elevated blood pressure, and changes in hunger hormones. This leads to overeating, weight gain, and a higher risk of serious conditions like Type 2 diabetes. Excess weight is both a consequence and a cause of sleep apnea, creating a vicious cycle: fat tissue around the neck can further compress the airways, increasing the frequency and severity of episodes. Even normal sleep becomes a challenge, though weight loss can significantly improve the condition and is a key part of therapy.

How do breathing pauses during sleep affect your life?

• Reduced productivity at work, worsened mood, and lack of motivation.
• Development of serious conditions, including Type 2 diabetes.
• Impaired memory, concentration, and decision-making.
• Strained relationships with loved ones due to disruptive snoring.
• Weight gain from hormonal imbalances.
• Increased risk of premature death from chronic oxygen deficiency, potentially leading to hypertension, strokes, or heart attacks.
• Weakened immunity, as quality sleep is vital for regeneration and immune health.
• Persistent fatigue that hinders daily tasks and living life to the fullest.

What to do if you notice symptoms?

If you experience multiple symptoms, consult a specialist – ideally a general practitioner or family doctor. They’ll conduct an initial evaluation and refer you to an apnea specialist if needed. To describe your symptoms to the doctor, ask a loved one to observe your sleep for breathing pauses or snoring. If you live alone, record nighttime sounds with audio or video. A simple self-diagnostic method is to measure your blood oxygen saturation at night with a pulse oximeter. A drop below 93% may indicate apnea.

Diagnosis and treatment of sleep apnea in Ukraine

The primary diagnostic method is polysomnography, a comprehensive test that evaluates physiological processes during sleep. It’s the «gold standard» for assessing sleep disorders, providing accurate data on:

• breathing patterns;
• brain activity;
• heart rate;
• blood oxygen levels and other key metrics.

Treatment requires a comprehensive approach, focusing not only on symptom relief but also on identifying and addressing the root causes. Initial diagnosis is conducted by therapists, sleep specialists, ENT doctors, or other experts who analyze medical history and polysomnography results to determine the type of apnea (obstructive or central) and its triggers, such as excess weight, anatomical features, allergies, or alcohol use.

Lifestyle changes are critical for treatment, including weight loss programs, endocrinologist consultations, or therapy sessions with a psychologist.

Doctors may also prescribe CPAP therapy to keep airways open, which is highly effective for severe cases. Additional options include devices to adjust sleep posture or oral appliances to maintain open airways.

We’ve covered the essentials of sleep apnea syndrome – what it is and how to recognize its signs. Treatment goes beyond symptom management; it involves actively addressing risk factors to improve sleep quality and prevent serious conditions like cardiovascular disease or diabetes. Timely consultation with specialists and adherence to their recommendations are key to successful outcomes.