What You Need to Know About Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a serious condition that occurs when the airway becomes partially or fully blocked during sleep, preventing air from passing through and causing a choking event. This blockage can happen repeatedly throughout the night, disrupting your sleep and putting significant stress on your body. At Bob Perkins, DDS and Southern California TMJ and Sleep Center, we specialize in diagnosing and treating sleep apnea, helping patients restore their sleep quality and overall health.
What Happens During Sleep Apnea?
During sleep apnea, the airway—which runs from your nose through your throat and into your lungs—collapses or becomes blocked, preventing air from reaching the lungs. As a result, carbon dioxide levels rise in the blood, triggering the brain to send an emergency signal to the body. This causes a rush of epinephrine (adrenaline), initiating a “fight or flight” response that jolts the body out of sleep just enough to reopen the airway. While you may not be aware of these arousals, they prevent you from entering the deep, restorative stages of sleep.
Patients with obstructive sleep apnea can experience 60 or more apneic events per hour, depending on the severity of their condition. Each event places tremendous stress on the body, especially the cardiovascular system, as the brain and heart are deprived of the oxygen they need to function properly.
The Importance of REM Sleep
Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep is essential for recharging the body, both mentally and physically. During this stage of deep sleep, the brain consolidates memories, repairs tissues, and prepares you for the next day. However, individuals with sleep apnea often never reach or remain in REM sleep long enough to reap its benefits.
Instead of waking up feeling refreshed, people with sleep apnea often wake up feeling tired and as if they never slept at all. This chronic sleep deprivation can increase the risk of developing serious health problems, including:
- High blood pressure
- Heart attack (23 times more likely)
- Stroke (15 times more likely)
- Daytime sleepiness and cognitive impairments
How Sleep Apnea Affects the Brain
Sleep apnea doesn’t just affect the heart and lungs—it also has significant consequences for the brain. In both children and adults, disrupted sleep from sleep apnea can lead to behavioral and cognitive issues. Children with sleep apnea or sleep-disordered breathing are more likely to experience problems such as ADD/ADHD, anxiety, and depression. These behavioral issues can arise due to the lack of restorative sleep, which is critical for healthy brain function and emotional regulation.
In adults, the lack of REM sleep caused by sleep apnea can impair memory, concentration, and learning abilities, making it difficult to function optimally throughout the day. Over time, the chronic sleep deprivation associated with sleep apnea can take a toll on your mental health, increasing the risk of anxiety and depression.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea is a condition that affects more than just your sleep—it can have profound effects on your overall health, including your cardiovascular system, brain function, and emotional well-being. At Bob Perkins, DDS and Southern California TMJ and Sleep Center, we are dedicated to diagnosing and treating sleep apnea, helping our patients regain their quality of life. If you suspect you have sleep apnea or are experiencing symptoms such as snoring, daytime fatigue, or difficulty concentrating, it’s important to seek professional care.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn more about how we can help treat your sleep apnea and restore your health.