Aside from causing sleep deprivation and stress, there are many side effects of sleep apnea that are concerning. Sleep apnea is characterized by repeated episodes of apnea meaning “without breathe”. In other words, normal breathing is interrupted up to 50 times per hour during sleep. Not surprisingly, the side effects of sleep apnea can be very dangerous and serious. In fact, sleep apnea can be deadly. If you have symptoms of sleep apnea, it is important to recognize them and get treatment.
Side Effects of Sleep Apnea include the following:
- Decreased blood oxygen level. Since breathing is interrupted, when a person has sleep apnea, the oxygen level in the blood decreases while the level of carbon dioxide increases. Having low blood oxygen levels can also affect the brain resulting in equilibrium and memory deficiency.
- Compromised immune system. The immune system of an individual suffering of sleep apnea becomes impaired because they don’t receive enough sleep. Constant sleep deprivation reduces the ability of the immune system to fight infection.
- Development of Diabetes Mellitus. Diabetes can also be a sleep apnea side effect. Studies have found that patients with obstructive sleep apnea are more than two and one-half times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes. Scientists theorize that high levels of the hormone cortisol that are produced as a result of the stress caused by sleep apnea lead to increased resistance to insulin and glucose intolerance.
- Daytime sleepiness and fatigue. Alertness and memory function of a person is affected due to decreased cognitive function with sleep apnea.
- Irritability, short-temperedness, anxiety and depression. As sleep apnea can cause sleepiness and fatigue, when a person is sleep deprived, it affects all aspects their temperament both at home and at work.
- Headache and migraine. Because of disturbed sleep that leads to blood-oxygen depletion and constriction of the small blood vessels in the brain, morning headaches and migraines can occur.
- Sexual function problems. Another side effect of sleep apnea is sexual dysfunction in both men and women. Blood oxygen deficiency in major body organs can result from sleep apnea. There are medical reports stating that men with sleep apnea have problems initiating and sustaining an erection. Studies also find that women with OSA have a significant decrease in sexual function.
- Obesity. Aside from being one of the causes of sleep apnea, obesity can also be a side effect of sleep apnea. Hormonal imbalances caused by sleep apnea contribute to weight gain.
- Snoring. Snoring is one of the most common side effects of sleep apnea and one of the biggest indicators that sleep apnea is present. People that snore and have other symptoms of sleep apnea should visit a sleep apnea clinic and get tested.
- Frequent nighttime urination or nocturia. Sleep apnea causes increased pressure on the right side of the heart as a result of low oxygen levels in the blood. Since increased pressure is also a sign of excess body fluids, doctors believe the body responds by secreting a hormone called atrial natriuretic peptide which is a diuretic and causes sufferers to urinate more frequently.
- High Blood Pressure. Hypertension is a common side effect of sleep apnea. Studies show that people with moderate to severe sleep apnea are more than twice as likely to also suffer from high blood pressure. Those suffering from sleep apnea and high blood pressure are also more likely to experience other complications such as heart and kidney damage as well as stroke
The Side Effects of Sleep Apnea Can Be Deadly
In addition to the health risks posed by the sleep apnea side effects listed above, sleep apnea increase the risk for several more serious cardiac events.
- Heart arrhythmias or an irregular rhythm of the heartbeat. Although often harmless, heart arrhythmias can be a dangerous side effect. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can cause both bradycardia where the heart beats slowly at less than 60 beats per minute as well as atrial fibrillation (afib), a condition where the electrical signals to the heart become uncoordinated causing rapid and in-effective heart contractions. Over time, afib can increase the risk for more serious complications such as stroke.
- Accidents. Sleep deprivation caused by sleep apnea increases the chances a person will be involved in a serious car accident by as much as five times. The risk of work and industrial accidents is also higher.
- Stroke, heart attack and death are the most significant side effects of sleep apnea. Stress placed on the sympathetic nervous system can lead to heart attacks, stoke and even death from sleep apnea. Scientists at the Mayo Clinic discovered that sleep apnea patients suffer twice as many cardiac events while sleeping than while awake; just the opposite of what people without sleep apnea experience. Mortality was also increased by a factor of six.
Every aspect of a person’s life can be affected by sleep apnea. The conditions mentioned above are just a few of the side effects of sleep apnea. It is important to get treatment as soon as possible to prevent it from becoming more serious. Without treatment, the side effects of sleep apnea pose a significant health risk.
18 responses to Side Effects of Sleep Apnea
I just found out that I have sleep apnea. Apparently it i s severe. I am a little nervous about the CPAP. I am praying that it will take care of myanxiety.
My husband has sleep apnea. I worry that he will die in his sleep. Is there any other treatment than a CPAP machine. The one he had was very uncomfortable and inconvenient.
I just got my CPAP a week ago and I am really having a hard time find a mask that will work for me. The clinic is very helpful letting me try different masks but this is very difficult for me, I am going to keep trying but wish there was some other treatment for this.
I have been waking during the night to urinate and I also have started to have panic attacks and anxiety. Could this be do to sleep apnea? I have been waking to urinate for quite some time, but recently, I have started to experience anxiety and some panic attacks. I do have a history of a-fib., but it isn’t a daily problem. I just wondered if I could be having these panicky and anxiety feelings because of sleep apnea. Please email me an answer to my email address, that is listed above under mail. Thank you!
I was diagnosed with Sleep apnea 15 mos. ago. Since then I have been using the CPAP with varying degrees of success. Initially I was so relieved and was definitely more rested. As of late, the CPAP machine itself is bothering me. I hear it all night, both machine and mask – (on exhalation). I have taken the works in for servicing, just got a new different style mask, etc. and it still is bothersome. My husband is at the end of his rope (and I think he might use it on me!). Also lately my anxiety/panic attacks are becoming more severe. I wake up panicking as if I am drowning. My lungs feel as if I cannot inhale (capacity greatly reduced) and my head is ‘congested. If I do contract a cold the situation is intolerable. My sister passed away from ALS 2-3 yrs. ago. My struggling for breath reminds me of her. Could my sleep apnea be a percusor to ALS? Without sounding like a hypochondriac, how can I relay this concern to my doctor?
I think my CPAP machine is great. i ffel it has saved my life and I know there will come a day I don’t have to use it. But for now, it is doing the job.
I’ve had several sleep studies, used a CPAP for over a year. It helped the 1st few months, then not much. I had heated humidity & chin strap. I had throat surgery that did not help at all. I use Provigil, which helps a little but I am still fatigued all the time. I have the trouble with memory that is mentioned in this article, recently frequent urination. Add sleep apnea to my issues with knees, shoulders & hands & I have a hard time doing anything to completion. I have more unfinished work than I can tally up. I go back to the Dr. in a few days. I hope he has some new ideas.
Please get a cpap machine!!! I have severe sleep apnea caused by severe allergy and nasal polyps. I have had seven nasal surgeries in under twenty years. This has caused the sleep apnea. After being diagnosed with apnea ten years ago, I started using the cpap machine. It was hard to use at first but after using it my life changed in that my mental alertness came back as well as feeling great and younger. But I stopped using it because, not romantic while dating!! That was over nine years ago. Now I have a severe heart condition because of the side effects of holding my breathe in my sleep. I have clean pipes but defective micro-valve also tricuspid and a biscupid valve damage to my heart. This is irreversible. Only a heart transplant can save me. I am 48 years old and never smoked and have been in fitness training all my life and even owned a gym. Go figure…. If i had wore my cpap correctly I would still be fit as a college athlete. Please get it and wear it!!!!
I am just beginning to suspect I have sleep apnea and found the information here very helpful. Also the comments from other readers are great. Thanks so much!
I have sleep apnea and can not use the Cpap I find I lose more sleep using the Cpap than having apnea. Lose weight if you can will help with apnea and snoring. Good luck
I have just been diagnosed with sleep apnea. Although the diagnosis is disturbing it truly explains many of my recent health issues. I was diagnosed during the screening process to undergo bariatric surgery. This now explains my fatigue, the reason I am sick so often, and my lack of energy. I am not.morbidly obese with a BMI of 36 I qualified for the surgery due to a heart issue, high cholesterol and now the sleep apnea. Looking forward to a new me in 2012. A rested healthy me, I get fitted for my Cpap next week so I am also looking forward to a good night sleep.
I was diagnosed w/ sleep apnea over a year ago, got a CPAP machine but still haven’t begun using it consistantly. it is difficult as a young woman, to feel like climbing in bed w/ my husband strapped to a machine. There is no room for spontaneous intimacy with this stupid machine. The diagnosis makes me feel like a failure. My 2 yr old daughter likes to sleep w/ me and I can’t wear this machine with her…how? I hate that I have this but my symptoms are beginning to get out of control! Recently my hands have been cramping uncontrollably and I have weird pain in them and throughout my body. I can only describe it as some kind of a short circuit feeling. I’m only 32 and I feel like my body is falling apart!
Hello Amanda,
Talk to your doctor and try your hardest to continue the treatment on a consistent basis. Sleep Apnea is serious. Have a great year!
Thank you very much for the comments explaining in detail the affects of Sleep Apnea. Everything posted is true. I want to suggest to ANYONE who snores that they immediately go to a sleep clinic to get tested. Sleep Apnea is the most under treated disorder in the United States! I have had symptoms of chronic fatigue for over 20 years and was diagnosed with Fibromyelgia. Well, guess what? The effects of sleep apnea are similar to fibromyelgia, and when I was recently tested for sleep apnea, the test results showed that I stopped breathing 92 times during the night! Now I understand why I felt as though I was dying, many many times!
I thanked my therapist who is the ONLY doctor who really heard what I was saying about my symptoms. In 20 years of medical visits, treatments, etc., this doctor is the only person who HEARD ME! I will talk about sleep apnea whenever possible. I have already encouraged my family members who snore to get tested! One sister who is a 8 year liver cancer survivor already made an appointment at a sleep clinic. All I can say to anyone who really understands this comment, if you or anyone snores, PLEASE get tested! I was evaluated after one week of CPAP usage, and the number of times I stopped breathing went from 92 to 4! I now get REM sleep and I have already lost 6 lbs. My immune system is finding its way back “home” and I haven’t felt so “normal” in 20 years! I know that God has a purpose for me becasue if He didn’t, I would have been long GONE. May God Bless you all!
I have had since 1993. Only got diagnosed a couple of years ago, though. Its the side effects that bother me. The constant tiredness, the microsleep, the hypnic jerking, late night urination, anxiety, and depression. Kind of gets to you after awhile. It is nice to know what the problem is finally. Good luck to everyone who has this condition.
I have lots of trouble with the cpcp masks. I can not find one that fits properly. the full face one is the best but it rests on the tear ducts and causes swelling and eye irritation. Any ideas?
While CPAP is the treatment of choice for most sleep apnea sufferers, only about 60% of users are compliant with their treatment, in large part due to similar issues you describe. Nevertheless, there are a large variety of sleep apnea masks that might do the job better than a full face mask. I suggest you read this post to learn more: http://sleepapneacurez.com/the-best-sleep-apnea-cures/sleep-apnea-ma…for-every-need/
Everyone is different and what works well for some may not be effective for others. The key is to keep trying and don’t give up.
Good luck!
I’ve had symptoms of sleep-apnea as far back as a child & I will soon go through my first sleep study in my forty. From all the stuff I’ve been reading I’m am blessed to be alive. I pray that I make it through the study and get some much needed help.
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