How do you know if you have sleep apnea?

To know if you have sleep apnea, you will find frequent disruption of sleep. A person with apnea may also have headaches upon waking up, chronic fatigue, and a variety of health problems. The best way to find out is to have a professional diagnosis.

Sleep Apnea in Montreal

Q: What are the dangers of sleep apnea?

The long-term dangers of sleep apnea can vary widely. Some effects can range from drowsiness to health problems like sexual dysfunction, stroke, and heart disease. If you are concerned about this issue, see a healthcare practitioner promptly.

Q: How is an exam for sleep apnea performed?

A test for sleep apnea begins with a clinic visit. During the consultation, your questions will be answered and you will be given cardiorespiratory polygraphy to collect your sleep data. It's a machine with electrodes that you can plug in while you sleep, in the comfort of your bed.

ACCORDING TO THE CANADIAN LUNG ASSOCIATION

Obstructive sleep apnea (also known as “OSA” or “obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome” (OSAHS)) prevents you from getting the restful sleep you need to stay healthy. Obstructive sleep apnea means that you have brief pauses in breathing while you sleep. These pauses in breathing—called apneas—last between 10 and 30 seconds, sometimes longer. People with obstructive sleep apnea may stop breathing dozens or even hundreds of times each night.

If left untreated, OSA can lead to major health problems, increased risk of vehicle and work-related accidents, and lower quality of life. Fortunately, obstructive sleep apnea can be effectively treated.

If left untreated, OSA can lead to major health problems, increase the risk of car and workplace accidents, and premature death. Fortunately, obstructive sleep apnea can be treated effectively.

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WHO IS MORE AT RISK OF DEVELOPING SLEEP APNEA?

People of all ages can have sleep apnea. It is more common in adults. Risk factors include:

Being male.
Being older.
Smoking cigarettes or using vaping products
Having a recessed chin (chin pulled backward to your neck)
Having large tonsils, a deviated septum, or other anatomical abnormalities in upper airway and nasal passages
Hypertension
Having a neck circumference that exceeds 17 inches for men, 16 inches for women
Having a body mass index that surpasses 30

Factors aggravating snoring or apnea

While some people may be predisposed to develop sleep apnea, certain habits may increase likelihood of snoring and can exacerbate the condition, such as:

The supine position of the body during sleep may encourage airway obstruction

Consumption of alcohol close to bedtime has been associated with increased relaxation of tissues in the upper airway as well as reduced sensitivity to apnea during sleep, and may be a cause for exacerbation of symptoms in patients with higher likelihood of having the condition (Simou et al., 2018).

PREVALENCE OF APNEA IN CANADIAN POPULATION

1 of every 5 adults has at least a mild form of sleep apnea (20%)
1 of every 15 adults has at least moderate sleep apnea (6.6%)
2-3% of children are likely to have sleep apnea
Over 1 in 4 (26%) Canadian adults have a high risk of having or developing obstructive sleep apnea (Canadian Lung Association)

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA (American Heart Association, 2021)

Dry mouth upon awakening
Impairments in memory and/or concentration
Irritability and/or changes in affect
Recent unexplained weight gain, or difficulty losing weight despite lifestyle and habit changes
Sexual dysfunction and/or changes in libido

WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCES OF UNTREATED SLEEP APNEA

Higher likelihood of developing metabolic Syndrome and Type II Diabetes (Yeghiazarians et al., 2021)
Higher incidence of work-related and driving accidents (Yeghiazarians et al., 2021)
Increased risk of stroke and recurrence of cerebrovascular events (Loke et al., 2012)
Increased risk of coronary artery disease and heart failure (Yeghiazarians et al., 2021)
Severe sleep apnea in particular has been associated with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality (Yeghiazarians et al., 2021)

TREATING SLEEP APNEA

Our physicians specialize in respiratory and sleep disorders, and the Montreal Sleep Centre offers treatment focused on sleep apnea and snoring using positive airway pressure (PAP) devices.

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Frequently asked questions about sleep apnea

HOW WILL I KNOW IF I HAVE SLEEP APNEA?

The only way to diagnose sleep apnea syndrome is by consulting a medical professional, who can refer you to the appropriate tests and/or treatment of symptoms. You may be recommended to do a home or in-lab sleep study to rule out sleep apnea as a potential cause for symptoms.

WHAT ARE THE DANGERS OF SLEEP APNEA?

Long-term dangers of sleep apnea can vary widely and from person to person. Severe sleep apnea in particular has been associated with cardiovascular disease, increased risk of stroke, and mortality. Even mild sleep apnea or snoring on its own can be highly disruptive to sleep and cause symptoms such as increased irritability, changes to mood or concentration, and hypertension.

HOW IS AN EXAM FOR SLEEP APNEA PERFORMED?

Improved quality and length of sleep
Reductions in daytime sleepiness
Elimination of snoring
May lower risk of blood pressure and/or cardiovascular complications (Martínez-García et al., 2013)