Sleep Apnea

[phkrause]

10 Ways Sleep Obstructive Apnea Affects Your Health

Medically Reviewed by Brunilda Nazario, MD on January 27, 2025

https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/sleep-apnea/ss/cm/slideshow-sleep-apnea-health-effects?

[Gustave]

100%.

I would strongly urge anyone who has any symptoms (even 1) to have a sleep study done - I was ignorant of this condition and sucked it up for decades - my first night on a CPAP I logged nearly 14 hours of solid sleep. I think many people who have this condition don't know it. It's for sure a killer.

[Gregory Matthews]

There are three types of sleep apnea.  Treatments differ among the specific types.  You may see TV Ads for a device that can be implanted in you.  That device only works for one type of sleep apnea.   It is not suitable for the other two types.  In addition, your treatment may depend in part on the location where you live.  In addition to a CPAP machine, in some locations you may be required to use an oxygen concentrator, but not in others.  Your altitude above sea level will be a factor in this.

How do I know?  I was diagnosed some 20 years ago and I have been on a cPAP machine ever since.  When I lived in Colorado I was also on an oxygen concentrator.  When I moved to California, I was able to quit using the concentrator.

[Gregory Matthews]

More on a 

CPAP machine:  My CPAP Machine is provided by the VA.  The VA is able to access my machine by telephone and change its operating parameters and to monitor my use of it (It has a number of adjustable settings.).  The VA considers my use of the CPAP machine to be successful if it grants me an average of 4-hours of good sleep each night.  I generally have about 6-hours of good sleep each night.  My face mask wears out with use and needs regular replacement as it develops leaks.  All that is recorded and the VA knows when it is leaking and when it is not.  I will get an e-mail telling me that my mask is leaking, as if I did not already know, or at least my wife knew.   

[Gregory Matthews]

The three types of Sleep Apnea are:

* Obstructive:  The most common type, occurs in up to 50% of the people.  Involves a physical obstruction.

* Central:  Does not involve a physical obstruction.  IOW involves the brain.

* Complex or Mixed:  Both of the above types are present.  

For more information, see:

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/types-of-sleep-apnea#obstructive-sleep-apnea

 

[Gregory Matthews]

Central Sleep Apnea is discussed in greater detail in the following article;

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/central-sleep-apnea#outlook

 

[phkrause]

14 Ways Sleep Apnea Can Hurt Your Health

Snoring can make for a bad night’s sleep, for you and your bedmate. But if it happens because you have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), it’s a sign of a bigger problem. Approximately 15 to 30 percent of males and 10 to 15 percent of females in the U.S. between 30 and 70 have OSA, and many haven’t been diagnosed with it.

https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/sleep-apnea/sleep-apnea-conditions?