Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that affects millions of Americans. The sleep disorder is characterized by interruptions in your breathing during sleep. The interruptions can lead to unhealthy sleep patterns and even an inadequate oxygen supply to your body. The most common type of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea. This condition not only disrupts the quantity and quality of your sleep but also poses serious risks to your overall health, including daytime fatigue, increased blood pressure, and cardiovascular problems. In addition to the impact on your physical health, poor quality sleep caused by sleep apnea can impact your mental health. Below, you will find more information about the connection between sleep apnea and anxiety.
Sleep Apnea and Anxiety
Your physical and mental health is critically important. Research has shown a direct link between the two. Because of this, there is a clear connection between sleep apnea and anxiety.
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea causes repeated pauses in your breathing during sleep. There are a number of different types of sleep apnea. However, the most common type is obstructive sleep apnea (“OSA”). OSA impacts your airway as it can become partially or completely blocked when you sleep. This leads to interruptions in your sleep that not only impact your natural sleep cycle but also decrease your oxygen levels. This results in serious unwanted symptoms, such as loud snoring and other noises. If you sleep with someone else, this can keep them up all night and severely impact their daily life as well.
It can also cause issues outside of when you are asleep, including fatigue throughout the day, poor concentration, increased appetite, and moodiness. Untreated sleep apnea can have long-term consequences such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and other serious health issues. Sleep apnea treatment near you is necessary to address the issue, so it’s important to talk with a specialist as soon as possible.
Anxiety
Anxiety is a very common mental health condition that affects millions of Americans. The condition is characterized by persistent feelings of worry and fear. Anxiety can be mild to severe, depending on the person. For those who have severe anxiety, it can cause excessive and irrational thoughts or concerns that can interfere with your daily life. Common anxiety symptoms include restlessness, irritability, and difficulty concentrating.
Some people also have physical symptoms, including sweating, rapid heartbeat, and shortness of breath. Untreated anxiety can lead to a number of unwanted issues, such as impaired daily functioning, physical and other mental health issues, relationship issues, and overall reduced quality of life. Anxiety requires therapeutic intervention, so it’s important to talk with a mental health professional right away.
The Connection Between Sleep Apnea and Anxiety
While sleep apnea and anxiety may not seem to be connected at first glance, it is clear that poor sleep can lead to mental health issues. There is a significant connection between sleep apnea and anxiety that requires intervention. People with sleep apnea often experience interrupted sleep. This is due to frequent pauses in breathing, snoring, and even gasping for air in severe cases. These disruptions lead to poor sleep quality, and most people with the condition do not get the recommended amount of sleep either. Poor sleep inevitably leads to daytime fatigue, irritability, and difficulty concentrating. Chronic sleep issues disrupt the balance of neurotransmitters in your brain, which can lead to increased anxiety symptoms.
Treatment for Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea and anxiety can go hand in hand. This is because the stress and worry associated with having a chronic sleep disorder can cause anxiety. Alternatively, anxiety can also contribute to the development or worsening of sleep apnea symptoms. Addressing your sleep apnea is beneficial as it can have a serious impact on your short- and long-term physical health. Once your sleep apnea is effectively addressed, it is the hope that your anxiety symptoms reduce. However, treatment for anxiety may be necessary as well.
If you experience any of the symptoms of sleep apnea or if your sleep apnea is causing you anxiety, contact the top sleep doctor in New York City. The team at Sleep MD can help you get back on track and effectively treat your sleep apnea. Contact Dr. Shukla today to schedule an appointment!
