It’s well-documented that the sleep disorder known as sleep apnea can heavily impact an individual’s physical health. Sleep apnea can lead to conditions such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. However, sleep apnea can also negatively impact an individual’s mental health. In this article, we’ll discuss how sleep apnea is linked to mental health issues and how individuals with sleep apnea can work to break the cycle.
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a common medical condition that affects an estimated 18 million Americans. People with sleep apnea experience brief interruptions in their breathing during sleep, which causes their bodies to react by waking up in order to resume breathing normally. Typically, these interruptions last for 10 to 20 seconds, though in more severe cases they can last for a minute or longer. These interruptions can occur dozens of times each hour, leading to restless and inefficient sleep. There are three main types of sleep apnea, including obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea, and complex sleep apnea syndrome.
The Link Between Sleep Apnea and Mental Health
Sleep apnea is often marked by loud snoring, daytime fatigue, difficulty concentrating and irritability. Many studies suggest that sleep apnea is linked to a wide variety of mental health conditions. People with sleep apnea have greater incidences of depression, anxiety, and mood swings. This is due to the fact that sleep apnea often results in decreased amounts, and quality, of sleep, and this can negatively affect one’s mental health.
A study conducted by Harvard Medical School found that individuals with obstructive sleep apnea experienced a significantly higher proportion of apneas and hypopneas, which are both interruptions in breathing typical of the disorder, and also scored higher on the depression scale. Another study found that participants with untreated sleep apnea experienced higher levels of anxiety than those without the disorder. Experts believe that sleep loss and decreased oxygen levels may interfere with the body’s ability to regulate mood and express emotions. Additionally, chronic sleep deprivation in other conditions has been found to be a predictor of mental health issues.
Breaking the Cycle
There are some treatment options available to individuals who have been diagnosed with sleep apnea. Notably, people with sleep apnea can use a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine, which helps to keep the airway open. Additionally, some people experience relief from sleep apnea through the use of an oral appliance or surgery. Lifestyle changes, including weight loss and quitting smoking, can also lead to improvement. People who have been diagnosed with sleep apnea should be diligent in their treatment routine, as untreated sleep apnea has been shown to have severe physical and mental health consequences.
Tips for Better Mental Health
If you’ve been diagnosed with sleep apnea and are experiencing mental health issues as a result, there are also techniques you can employ in order to help. It’s important to stay active during the day, ideally exercising at least 30 minutes a day. This can help you tire out your body and make it easier to fall asleep at night. It’s also important to establish a consistent sleep schedule. You should aim to go to bed around the same time every night and to wake up at the same time every morning. Additionally, you should make an effort to avoid consuming large amounts of caffeine in the evening.
Conclusion
Sleep apnea can result in a number of serious physical health conditions. However, it can also impact one’s mental health, leading to increased rates of depression, anxiety, and mood swings. It’s important for individuals with sleep apnea to seek treatment in order to keep their physical and mental health in check. Individuals with sleep apnea should also consider staying active and making efforts to form good sleep hygiene in order to improve their mental health.