Insomnia and sleep apnea are comorbid disorders, but they’re not always the same. If you have one condition, the other may affect your life in other ways. In this article,
we’ll discuss comorbidity, treatments, and symptom management. And, we’ll cover how
to recognize the difference between sleep apnea and insomnia.
Comorbidity
There is a comorbidity between sleep apnea and insomnia, and both conditions are
associated with high rates of mortality. Research found that of the 63 people who were
diagnosed with both conditions, 63 (68%) were female, and 29 (32%) were male.
People with sleep apnea also had an increased risk of hypertension. These findings
are particularly alarming given that the condition affects more than a million people
worldwide.
Researchers have found that a higher risk of all-cause mortality was associated with
comorbid insomnia and sleep apnea among older adults. This increased risk was
statistically significant in both groups, and was found to be greater in people with
cardiovascular disease and hypertension. In this study, 5236 participants from
population-based studies underwent home-based polysomnography recording between
1995 and 1998. Participants were then asked to fill out questionnaires about their
sleep habits, as well as their overall quality of life.
Treatments
A comorbidity between insomnia and sleep apnea has been recognized as a significant
clinical and research challenge. Because the comorbidity has been linked to increased
morbidity, clinicians must develop effective treatment options for both conditions. This
review will highlight several considerations for treating these two conditions. Here we
discuss the current research and future directions for treatment. This review will
provide insight into a number of topics relevant to both patients with sleep apnea and
insomnia.
The primary symptom of insomnia is an inability to initiate sleep. This sleep disorder
manifests itself in waking up too early or having a difficult time falling back to sleep.
Some people experience daytime drowsiness due to excessive daytime sleepiness.
Psychological factors that contribute to chronic insomnia include mental or hormonal
conditions, substance abuse, or other undetected illness. Alcohol, nicotine, and excessive caffeine use are known causes of insomnia.
Risks
Obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA, occurs when the airway collapses during sleep,
preventing adequate breathing. The length and frequency of each apnea indicate the severity of the condition, which may be associated with other medical conditions, such
as psychiatric disorders. For example, if a person suffers from sleep apnea but also
has a history of insomnia, they are likely to be at increased risk of heart disease.
Researchers have identified a strong association between insomnia and suicidal
ideation. However, the causes and mechanisms of the relationship are unclear. One
study found that sleep apnea and insomnia symptoms are related to the frequency of
suicidal ideation in adults, but that the association is not moderated by depression and
sleep duration. This is a promising development, as it suggests that the association
between insomnia and suicide risk is not due to psychopathology, but rather by
insomnia and sleep apnea.
While many studies have examined the association between sleep apnea and suicidal
ideation, few have focused on suicide-related behavior in the context of sleep disorders. The current research focuses on specific sleep disorders, but few provide a
comprehensive overview of the sleep-suicide relationship. In this narrative review, we
will highlight the prevalence of suicide ideation in people with various sleep disorders
and explore potential sleep-order management strategies for these individuals.
Coexisting Symptoms
Many people experience coexisting symptoms of insomnia and sleep apnea. Insomnia
is a common symptom of both of these conditions, although the root causes of the two
are still unclear. However, sleep apnea is more likely to be a result of one disorder
than the other, and vice versa. Consequently, coexisting insomnia and sleep apnea
should be taken seriously, and treatment should be sought from a sleep medicine
specialist.
Contact your doctor for recommended treatment based on your condition. Contact The Air Station about CPAP machines, CPAP trial, CPAP trade-in, home sleep test, sleep study, sleep apnea treatments:
The Air Station Singapore
Office Address: 11 Lorong 3 Toa Payoh Block B #01-13, Jackson Square, 319579 Singapore.
Telephone: (+65) 6265 5608
Email: [email protected]