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Sleep Apnea and Insomnia: How These Common Sleep Disorders Can Be a Deadly Combination

Sleep Apnea and Insomnia

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Sleep Apnea and Insomnia: How These Common Sleep Disorders Can Be a Deadly Combination

Each year, almost 70 million individuals in the United States deal with persistent insomnia or sleeplessness.

It is well knowledge that snoring is a telltale sign of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which occurs when the airway is either partly or totally clogged during sleep. Melatonin, Zopiclone 10mg, zaleplon, eszopiclone, ramelteon, suvorexant, lemborexant, or doxepin are only some of the sleep aids that have shown some promise in treating insomnia helpers.

The inability to fall asleep, remain asleep, or go back to sleep after waking up at night is what we mean when we talk about insomnia, whether it's temporary or long-term.

Although both insomnia and sleep apnea are problematic in and of itself, the combination of the two may have devastating implications on both sleep quality and general health. It's not an unlikely scenario that this duo might end up being fatal.

No matter how many different types of sleep problems you have, the important thing is getting the right therapy.

Numerous sleep problems are amenable to treatment by a trained practitioner. Additionally,

Can Sleep Apnea Cause Insomnia or Is It Independent?

Insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea are two very distinct sleep disorders, although they are linked. Approximately 50% to 60% of persons with a diagnosis of one sleep disorder also suffer from the other.

Being diagnosed with both insomnia and OSA is known as comorbid insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea (COMISA), due to the tight relationship between the two disorders.

It might be challenging to establish causality between obstructive sleep apnea and insomnia in individual individuals, reports the European Respiratory Review. There are three possible explanations for this: one condition may be a symptom of another; second disorder may be exacerbating the first disorder's symptoms; or both disorders may be contributing factors.

It's possible that the illnesses have no causal link to one another.

Insomnia may occur, for instance, if a person with OSA has several respiratory episodes per night.

The European Respiratory Review found that this COMISA characteristic was present in 37% of patients.

Potential shared features include:

Insomnia that persists throughout the day

lack of sleep

Irritability

Deterioration of Mental Function

Distressing lack of rejuvenation despite getting sufficient shut-eye.

Combining sleep apnea and insomnia may be fatal.

A new study conducted by researchers at Flinders University discovered that those who suffer from both obstructive sleep apnea and insomnia are at a far higher risk of developing high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and dying prematurely. Having both sleep problems is even more worrisome since it doubles your risk of dying prematurely compared to having either one or none.

The results of this study were presented after researchers observed around 5,000 people roughly their age 60 for about 15 years.

High blood pressure was found to be twice as common in individuals with COMISA (sleep apnea and insomnia) compared to those with either sleep apnea or insomnia alone.

Increased risk of cardiovascular disease by 70% compared to those who did not suffer from any sleep condition. Despite taking into account other variables that may influence mortality rates, they still had a 47% greater chance of death than individuals without either illness.

Note that 1210 people died throughout the course of the trial, although the study did not specify how many died from cardiovascular causes or as a direct effect of COMISA.

Although the negative effects of OSA and insomnia on health have been extensively studied, greater investigation into the root cause of COMISA's elevated mortality risk is warranted. This is why those studying OSA recommend that those with insomnia also be tested for OSA, and vice versa.

But knowing and understanding your symptoms so you can be tested is frequently easier said than done.

Diagnosis and Treatment with COMISA

Patients with COMISA may have difficulty distinguishing between the two conditions, which complicate diagnosis and treatment.

More targeted care may be required to address the impacts of both sleep disorders when they are identified together. When many medications are required, careful monitoring may be used to ensure that they all work together safely and effectively.

However, these illnesses must be treated to improve not just sleep quality but also general well-being.

How do doctors deal with insomnia?

A wide range of therapies are advocated by medical professionals:



As a kind of treatment, cognitive behaviour therapy is advocated by certain "sleep doctors." Counseling like this teaches you how to "recognize, confront, and transform stress-inducing ideas," which may be the source of many sleepless nights.

Medication and dietary aid.

Establishing and sticking to a regular sleep routine is one example of good sleep hygiene.

Do frequent physical activity.

Turn down the volume.

Turn off all lights.

Adjust the thermostat to your preferred level of comfort.

Treatments suggested by your doctor will be tailored to your specific needs.

What drugs have shown promise for treating sleep problems?

The following drugs and supplements may be suggested by your doctor:

Pregabalin, gabapentin, and gabapentin enacarbil are all effective medications for treating restless legs syndrome.

Several stimulants and wakefulness-promoting medicines exist for the treatment of narcolepsy. These include modafinil, armodafinil, pitolisant, and solriamfetol.

Do I need to consult a doctor?

Get a referral to a sleep doctor from your primary care doctor if you think you need one.

In order to sleep well, what suggestions do you have?



Make sure your bedroom is a pleasant temperature, free of light and noise, and somewhat dark to facilitate restful sleep. To combat noise disruption, one may use earplugs or play "white noise" in the background. Use a sleep mask or draw the blinds if light is keeping you from getting a good night's rest.

Keep an optimistic outlook. Refrain from thinking unfavourable thoughts before bed, such as "I'll never make it through the day tomorrow if I don't get enough sleep tonight."

Do not use your bedroom for any other use, including watching TV, eating, working, or using a computer.

If you're having trouble falling asleep, try writing down your thoughts or developing a list of tasks to do before bed. If you tend to overthink and worry when you should be sleeping, this may help.

Create a nightly ritual that helps you wind down, such as a warm bath, some calming music, or a good book. Methods such as deep breathing, yoga, meditation, biofeedback, and hypnosis may help you unwind. Maintain a regular morning routine even when you're not working.

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