Sleep Apnea FAQs

How many people have sleep apnea?

An estimated 26% of people in the United States aged 30 to 70 have sleep apnea.

How many sleep apnea deaths are there per year?

Approximately 40,000 people with sleep apnea die from heart disease each year. The total number of people who die from other sleep apnea-related conditions could be much higher.

How common is sleep apnea by age?

The risk of developing sleep apnea increases with age. Starting around age 30, your risk of developing sleep apnea increases until the age of 70.

How many people have untreated sleep apnea?

It is estimated that 80% of people with sleep apnea are not being treated for it.

What cause sleep apnea?

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a sleep disorder that occurs when the airway collapses during sleep, causing breathing to be interrupted. The exact cause of OSA is different for each person, but some of the most common risk factors include:

Age: OSA is more common in people over age 40.
Neck size: People with a large neck are more likely to develop OSA.
Weight: Approximately half of OSA sufferers are overweight or obese.
Sex: Men are more likely to develop OSA than women.
Facial structure: People with a large tongue or small jaw may be more likely to develop OSA.
Tonsils and adenoids: Enlarged tonsils and adenoids can block the airway, leading to OSA.
Alcohol and sedatives: These substances can relax the muscles in the airway, making it more likely to collapse during sleep.
Nasal obstruction: A deviated septum or sinus and allergy problems can block the nose, making it more difficult to breathe through the nose during sleep.

It is important to note that not everyone with these risk factors will develop OSA. However, if you have any of these risk factors, you are more likely to develop the disorder. If you are concerned that you may have OSA, talk to your doctor.

Here are some additional tips to help prevent OSA:

Maintain a healthy weight. Losing even a small amount of weight can help reduce your risk of OSA.
Avoid alcohol and sedatives before bed. These substances can relax the muscles in the airway, making it more likely to collapse during sleep.
Treat allergies and sinus problems. If you have allergies or sinus problems, treating them can help improve your breathing during sleep.
Use a humidifier. A humidifier can help keep your airways moist, which can help prevent them from collapsing during sleep.
Sleep on your side. Sleeping on your side can help keep your airway open.

If you think you may have OSA, talk to your doctor. They can assess your risk factors and recommend treatment options.

What are the risks of sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is a serious medical condition that can have a number of serious health risks if it is not treated. Some of the most common risks of sleep apnea include:

Daytime sleepiness: People with sleep apnea often experience excessive daytime sleepiness, which can impair their ability to function at work, school, or while driving.
High blood pressure: Sleep apnea can increase the risk of high blood pressure, which is a major risk factor for heart disease, stroke, and other health problems.
Heart disease: Sleep apnea can increase the risk of heart disease, including coronary artery disease, heart attack, and heart failure.
Stroke: Sleep apnea can increase the risk of stroke, which is a serious neurological condition that can cause permanent disability or death.
Type 2 diabetes: Sleep apnea can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, a chronic health condition that affects how the body metabolizes sugar.
Accidents: People with sleep apnea are more likely to have accidents, including car crashes, workplace injuries, and falls.
Sudden cardiac death: In rare cases, sleep apnea can lead to sudden cardiac death, which is a sudden and unexpected death caused by a heart problem.

If you think you may have sleep apnea, it is important to see a doctor for diagnosis and treatment. Treatment for sleep apnea can help to reduce the risk of these serious health problems.

Here are some additional risks of sleep apnea:

Mood disorders: People with sleep apnea are more likely to experience depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders.
Cognitive impairment: Sleep apnea can impair cognitive function, including memory, attention, and decision-making.
Sleep deprivation: Sleep apnea can lead to chronic sleep deprivation, which can have a number of negative effects on health and well-being.

If you have any of the symptoms of sleep apnea, it is important to see a doctor for evaluation. Treatment for sleep apnea can help to improve your quality of life and reduce your risk of serious health problems.

What are the treatment for sleep apnea?

There are many different treatment options for sleep apnea, depending on the severity of your condition and your individual needs. Some of the most common treatments include:

CPAP is the most effective treatment for sleep apnea. It is also the most common treatment, used by about 80% of people with sleep apnea. CPAP works by delivering a steady stream of air through a mask that you wear over your nose and mouth while you sleep. The air pressure helps to keep your airway open and prevents you from snoring and having breathing pauses.
Oral appliances: Oral appliances are another effective treatment for sleep apnea. They are less common than CPAP, but they can be a good option for people who cannot tolerate CPAP or who have mild sleep apnea. Oral appliances work by repositioning the jaw or tongue to keep the airway open during sleep.
Surgery: Surgery may be an option for some people with sleep apnea. There are different types of surgery that can be performed, depending on the cause of your sleep apnea. Surgery is not always successful, and it can have some risks.
Lifestyle changes: There are some lifestyle changes that you can make to help improve your sleep apnea, such as losing weight, quitting smoking, and avoiding alcohol before bed. Lifestyle changes are not always enough to completely treat sleep apnea, but they can help to improve your symptoms.

If you think you may have sleep apnea, it is important to see a doctor for diagnosis and treatment. Treatment for sleep apnea can help to improve your quality of life and reduce your risk of complications.

What is the difference between a CPAP and an oral appliance?

CPAP and oral appliances are two different treatments for sleep apnea. CPAP is a machine that delivers pressurized air through a mask, while an oral appliance is a device that fits in the mouth and helps to keep the airway open.

CPAP is the most effective treatment for sleep apnea, but it can be uncomfortable for some people. The mask can be bulky and restrictive, and the machine can be noisy. As a result, many people have difficulty using CPAP or do not use it at all.

Oral appliances are a more comfortable alternative to CPAP. They are small and portable, and they can be custom-fit to the individual's mouth. Oral appliances are not as effective as CPAP, but they can still be effective in treating mild to moderate sleep apnea.

Here is a table that summarizes the key differences between CPAP and oral appliances:

Ultimately, the best treatment for sleep apnea depends on the individual's needs and preferences. If you are considering treatment for sleep apnea, talk to your doctor about the pros and cons of CPAP and oral appliances.

Sleep Apnea FAQs

How many people have sleep apnea?

An estimated 26% of people in the United States aged 30 to 70 have sleep apnea.

How many sleep apnea deaths are there per year?

Approximately 40,000 people with sleep apnea die from heart disease each year. The total number of people who die from other sleep apnea-related conditions could be much higher.

How common is sleep apnea by age?

The risk of developing sleep apnea increases with age. Starting around age 30, your risk of developing sleep apnea increases until the age of 70.

How many people have untreated sleep apnea?

It is estimated that 80% of people with sleep apnea are not being treated for it.

What cause sleep apnea?

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a sleep disorder that occurs when the airway collapses during sleep, causing breathing to be interrupted. The exact cause of OSA is different for each person, but some of the most common risk factors include:

Age: OSA is more common in people over age 40.

Neck size: People with a large neck are more likely to develop OSA.

Weight: Approximately half of OSA sufferers are overweight or obese.

Sex: Men are more likely to develop OSA than women.

Facial structure: People with a large tongue or small jaw may be more likely to develop OSA.

Tonsils and adenoids: Enlarged tonsils and adenoids can block the airway, leading to OSA.

Alcohol and sedatives: These substances can relax the muscles in the airway, making it more likely to collapse during sleep.

Nasal obstruction: A deviated septum or sinus and allergy problems can block the nose, making it more difficult to breathe through the nose during sleep.

It is important to note that not everyone with these risk factors will develop OSA. However, if you have any of these risk factors, you are more likely to develop the disorder. If you are concerned that you may have OSA, talk to your doctor.

Here are some additional tips to help prevent OSA:

Maintain a healthy weight. Losing even a small amount of weight can help reduce your risk of OSA.

Avoid alcohol and sedatives before bed. These substances can relax the muscles in the airway, making it more likely to collapse during sleep.

Treat allergies and sinus problems. If you have allergies or sinus problems, treating them can help improve your breathing during sleep.

Use a humidifier. A humidifier can help keep your airways moist, which can help prevent them from collapsing during sleep.

Sleep on your side. Sleeping on your side can help keep your airway open.

If you think you may have OSA, talk to your doctor. They can assess your risk factors and recommend treatment options.

What are the risks of sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is a serious medical condition that can have a number of serious health risks if it is not treated. Some of the most common risks of sleep apnea include:

Daytime sleepiness: People with sleep apnea often experience excessive daytime sleepiness, which can impair their ability to function at work, school, or while driving.

High blood pressure: Sleep apnea can increase the risk of high blood pressure, which is a major risk factor for heart disease, stroke, and other health problems.

Heart disease: Sleep apnea can increase the risk of heart disease, including coronary artery disease, heart attack, and heart failure.

Stroke: Sleep apnea can increase the risk of stroke, which is a serious neurological condition that can cause permanent disability or death.

Type 2 diabetes: Sleep apnea can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, a chronic health condition that affects how the body metabolizes sugar.

Accidents: People with sleep apnea are more likely to have accidents, including car crashes, workplace injuries, and falls.

Sudden cardiac death: In rare cases, sleep apnea can lead to sudden cardiac death, which is a sudden and unexpected death caused by a heart problem.

If you think you may have sleep apnea, it is important to see a doctor for diagnosis and treatment. Treatment for sleep apnea can help to reduce the risk of these serious health problems.

Here are some additional risks of sleep apnea:

Mood disorders: People with sleep apnea are more likely to experience depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders.

Cognitive impairment: Sleep apnea can impair cognitive function, including memory, attention, and decision-making.

Sleep deprivation: Sleep apnea can lead to chronic sleep deprivation, which can have a number of negative effects on health and well-being.

If you have any of the symptoms of sleep apnea, it is important to see a doctor for evaluation. Treatment for sleep apnea can help to improve your quality of life and reduce your risk of serious health problems.

What are the treatment for sleep apnea?

There are many different treatment options for sleep apnea, depending on the severity of your condition and your individual needs. Some of the most common treatments include:

Surgery: Surgery may be an option for some people with sleep apnea. There are different types of surgery that can be performed, depending on the cause of your sleep apnea. Surgery is not always successful, and it can have some risks.

Lifestyle changes: There are some lifestyle changes that you can make to help improve your sleep apnea, such as losing weight, quitting smoking, and avoiding alcohol before bed. Lifestyle changes are not always enough to completely treat sleep apnea, but they can help to improve your symptoms.

If you think you may have sleep apnea, it is important to see a doctor for diagnosis and treatment. Treatment for sleep apnea can help to improve your quality of life and reduce your risk of complications.

What is the difference between a CPAP and an oral appliance?

CPAP and oral appliances are two different treatments for sleep apnea. CPAP is a machine that delivers pressurized air through a mask, while an oral appliance is a device that fits in the mouth and helps to keep the airway open.

CPAP is the most effective treatment for sleep apnea, but it can be uncomfortable for some people. The mask can be bulky and restrictive, and the machine can be noisy. As a result, many people have difficulty using CPAP or do not use it at all.

Oral appliances are a more comfortable alternative to CPAP. They are small and portable, and they can be custom-fit to the individual's mouth. Oral appliances are not as effective as CPAP, but they can still be effective in treating mild to moderate sleep apnea.

Here is a table that summarizes the key differences between CPAP and oral appliances:

Ultimately, the best treatment for sleep apnea depends on the individual's needs and preferences. If you are considering treatment for sleep apnea, talk to your doctor about the pros and cons of CPAP and oral appliances.