Sleep apnea syndrome

Home > Guides and advices > What is pain? > Sleep disorders > Sleep apnea syndrome

Sleep apnea—also known as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)—is a breathing disorder that can have a significant impact on your sleep and overall health. “Apnea” refers to a temporary pause in breathing lasting at least 10 seconds. These pauses can occur repeatedly throughout the night.

This sleep disorder reduces sleep quality by causing frequent micro-awakenings that you may not even notice. As a result, you’re often unable to attain the deep sleep stages that are essential for proper physical and mental recovery.

In this article, the experts at Médicus explain what sleep apnea is, how to identify the symptoms and what options are available to help you regain restorative, better-quality sleep.

What are the signs and symptoms of sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea can cause annoying symptoms both at night and during the day.

During sleep, a person may experience loud snoring, frequent micro-awakenings or a sensation of choking or gasping for air. These breathing interruptions make sleep fragmented and non-restorative.

Restless sleep with frequent awakenings is one of the key signs of sleep apnea. While snoring is often only a minor nuisance, difficulty breathing during the night can seriously undermine sleep quality.

A person with sleep apnea may wake up in the morning with headaches, extreme fatigue and excessive daytime sleepiness. This can reduce concentration and memory and lead to irritability.

Different types of sleep apnea

The most common form of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). With OSA, the throat muscles relax too much during sleep, causing the airways to collapse or become blocked. This obstruction leads to temporary pauses in breathing.

According to the Canadian Lung Association, one in four adults is at high risk of developing OSA. Among those affected, one in five has mild OSA, while one in fifteen has moderate OSA.

 

There are also other forms of sleep apnea.

  • Central sleep apnea: This occurs when the brain doesn’t send the proper signals to the muscles that control breathing.
  • Mixed sleep apnea: This is a combination of obstructive and central apnea. With mixed sleep apnea, the brain fails to send a signal and when the body attempts to breathe, the airways remain blocked.
  • Sleep-related hypoventilation: This occurs when breathing is too shallow to supply the body with enough oxygen.

Main causes of sleep apnea

Sleep apnea most often affects adult men, but women and children can also develop this disorder. Several factors can increase the risk of OSA, including:

  • Excess weight, which increases pressure on the airways
  • Anatomical features such as a large neck, small jaw, enlarged tonsils or deviated nasal septum
  • Hereditary factors
  • Alcohol and tobacco use
  • Aging, which reduces muscle tone

 

Risks and dangers of untreated sleep apnea

Left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to excessive daytime sleepiness, increasing the risk of traffic accidents and workplace injuries.

But the risks don’t stop there. It can also contribute to serious health problems such as high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, heart attacks and metabolic disorders, including type 2 diabetes.

The social impact can be just as difficult. Constant fatigue may interfere with work, relationships and daily activities. Over time, untreated apnea can contribute to mood disorders, including depression, and cause people to withdraw from their usual routines, further affecting overall well-being.

How to tell if you have sleep apnea

Sleep apnea can have serious consequences for your health. If the symptoms described earlier ring a bell, you may suffer from this disorder. To be diagnosed with sleep apnea, you must undergo either a home sleep test (cardiorespiratory polygraphy) or lab sleep study (polysomnography). Both require a physician’s prescription.

At Médicus, our respiratory therapists are trained to provide high-quality care. If you already have a prescription for a home sleep apnea test (cardiorespiratory polygraphy), schedule an appointment with Médicus today and take the first step toward improving your sleep.

How can sleep apnea be treated?

The treatment for sleep apnea depends on the type and severity. A number of options are available to reduce or eliminate symptoms, each with its own specific benefits.

It’s important to consult a family doctor or a pulmonologist to determine the best treatment for your situation and minimize the impact of sleep apnea on your health. The following table summarizes the most common treatment options and the benefits of each one.

 

Treatment Description Benefits
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine A device that delivers pressurized air to keep the airways open during sleep. The most effective solution for obstructive sleep apnea, immediately improving sleep and overall quality of life.
Surgery Surgery—on the palate or to remove the tonsils—may be recommended in cases of significant physical obstruction. It can provide a permanent solution when other treatments are unsuccessful.
Mandibular advancement device

 

 A dental appliance that moves the jaw forward to help keep the airways open. An effective treatment for mild obstructive sleep apnea, more comfortable and discreet than a CPAP machine.
Weight loss Maintaining a healthy weight can reduce pressure on the airways and improve symptoms. This preventive measure supports overall health, especially for people who are overweight.
Lifestyle changes Avoiding sedatives, reducing alcohol use, sleeping on your side. These simple changes can improve sleep quality without medical intervention.

CPAP machine

A CPAP machine is one of the most effective treatments for sleep apnea. It sends a steady stream of air into the airways to keep them open throughout the night, preventing pauses in breathing and allowing restorative, uninterrupted sleep.

Médicus, your sleep apnea partner

Sleep apnea is a condition that can seriously affect your health and quality of life. At Médicus, we support you every step of the way with our team of certified respiratory therapists and a wide selection of CPAP machines.

Don’t let sleep apnea affect your well-being—schedule an appointment today at one of our locations in Longueuil, Quebec City or Sherbrooke.

Got any questions?

Book an appointment online Call us

Similar content