Sleep apnea affects nearly 1 billion people worldwide, with numbers continuing to grow, according to estimates from two neuroscientists writing about the condition. The disorder is characterized by repeated blockage of breathing during sleep, often resulting in daytime sleepiness, headaches or snoring, and in the long term, increased risk for cardiovascular diseases.
Despite its prevalence, sleep apnea remains undiagnosed in women and other groups who may not fit the stereotype of older obese males. While the condition manifests during sleep with repeated partial or total breathing pauses, its effects extend far beyond nighttime. Repeated apnea episodes can happen more than 100 times per hour and last about 20 seconds each. These episodes lead to reduced oxygen levels in the brain and body, increasing blood pressure and heart rate, which stresses the cardiovascular system. Untreated sleep apnea can lead to hypertension, heart failure and stroke, and is associated with increased risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
Treatment options have advanced considerably. The standard treatment is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), which prevents airway collapse with a stream of air through the mouth or nose. However, people often report that CPAP is burdensome and intolerable for some. Other therapies include oral appliances to shift the jaw forward, positional therapies to avoid back-sleeping, and myofunctional training to strengthen tongue and throat muscles. In late 2024, the FDA approved tirzepatide—the active ingredient in GLP-1 drugs Mounjaro and Zepbound—for treating obstructive sleep apnea by helping lower body weight.
Asking your primary care provider about sleep apnea increases the probability of getting a specialist referral ninefold. Sleep studies can now be conducted at home. If experiencing symptoms like excessive sleepiness, headaches, frequent urination, waking up short of breath, snoring or insomnia, bringing it up with a healthcare provider may be the first step toward diagnosis and treatment.
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://www.arcamax.com/healthtips/s-4090735