What Are the Risks of Untreated Sleep Apnoea?

According to a report by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), 104 million Indians suffer from sleep apnoea, with 11% of the adults suffering from Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA). The study reveals that men are more at risk (13%) compared to women (5%). If left untreated, sleep apnoea poses significant risks to overall health, increasing the probability of liver disease, diabetes, cognitive impairment, and even premature mortality.

This blog discusses the dangers of untreated sleep apnoea, exploring its consequences and emphasising the need for diagnosis, treatment, and lifestyle interventions.

What Is Sleep Apnoea?

It is a long-term sleep disorder that causes recurrent pauses in breathing during sleep. When you wake up to resume breathing, this disrupts normal sleep patterns and increases stress.

Types of Sleep Apnoea

Depending on what is interrupting your breathing during sleep, the condition is classified into three forms:

• Obstructive Sleep Apnoea – Caused by a partial or complete blockage of the upper airway.
• Central Sleep Apnoea – Resulting from the brain’s failure to transmit signals to the muscles controlling breathing.
• Complex Sleep Apnoea – Combination of both obstructive and central sleep apnoea.

How Untreated Sleep Apnoea Affects Your Body During Sleep?

Sleep apnoea’s impact extends beyond drowsiness and disrupted sleep. Untreated sleep apnoea triggers a cascade of harmful effects. Oxygen levels decline as breathing pauses recur throughout the night, stressing organs and tissues.

After sensing distress, the brain shifts from deep sleep to lighter stages, fragmenting sleep patterns and reducing essential rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. Sleep apnoea’s repeated interruptions also prevent the body from repairing and rejuvenating itself, compromising immune function and overall well-being.

Short-Term Risks of Untreated Sleep Apnoea

Sleep deprivation, resulting from untreated sleep apnoea, profoundly impacts daily life, affecting cognitive function, emotional well-being, and physical health.

Short-term sleep apnoea risks include:

• Fatigue – Excessive daytime sleepiness affects productivity, concentration, and memory.
• Cognitive Impairment – Difficulty focusing, learning, and decision-making.
• Increased Errors – Impaired judgement and reaction time lead to mistakes at work or home.
• Reduced Functionality – Low oxygen levels in the blood affect the normal functioning of your body.
• Anxiety and Depression – The disruption in sleep sparks a wave in stress hormones, such as cortisol, which then causes anxiety and depression.

• Fatigue-Related Accidents – Drowsy driving, resulting from untreated sleep apnoea, impairs reaction time and coordination, increasing the risk of collisions and accidents.

Long-Term Health Risks of Untreated Sleep Apnoea

Long-term side effects of sleep apnoea are more severe than short-term risks, which include:

• Increased Blood Pressure – A sudden decline in blood oxygen levels strain your cardiovascular system, resulting in high blood pressure.
• Insulin Resistance – Sleep apnoea disrupts glucose regulation, increasing type 2 diabetes risk.
• Abnormal Liver Function – Sleep apnoea leads to liver inflammation and scarring (fibrosis).
• Heart Attack – Sleep apnoea decreases oxygen levels, causing heart rhythm irregularities and stress. This may result in a heart attack.
• Stroke – Poor-quality sleep reduces oxygen and blood flow to the brain, causing stroke.
• Memory Impairment – Chronic sleep deprivation damages neurons in the brain, affecting memory consolidation.

Lifestyle Tips to Manage Sleep Apnoea

In addition to medical treatment, incorporating healthy lifestyle changes can help relieve sleep apnoea symptoms:

• Lose Weight – Obese people are prone to suffer from sleep apnoea, as the extra fat tissue can clog your airways. So, maintain a healthy weight.
• Stay Active – Exercise can help reduce fat around your upper airways, preventing straining on related muscles that cause breathing pauses.
• Eat Healthy – Avoid spicy foods, caffeine, and heavy meals at night, as these can aggravate acid reflux that could worsen sleep apnoea.
• Limit Alcohol Use – Alcohol consumption increases your body weight, resulting in sleep apnoea.
• Sleep Position – Sleeping on your side may help you breathe easier.
• Sleep Hygiene – Sleep and wake up at or around the same time daily. Avoid daytime naps if you have difficulty sleeping at night.

Wrap Up

Sleep apnoea is a disabling condition that, if left untreated, puts people at considerable risk for other health and medical issues. Untreated sleep apnoea significantly increases the chances of developing cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, hypertension, etc. Nonetheless, early diagnosis and treatment considerably decrease other health complications. Through the recognition of symptoms, medical attention, and lifestyle modifications, it is possible to handle sleep apnoea effectively.