Millions of Americans suffer from sleep apnea and millions of Americans suffer from chronic insomnia. Now, a new study has found that the two common sleep disorders may overlap in a considerable number of patients who can’t get a good night’s rest.
In fact, according to the article published by the Mayo Clinic, nine out of ten people who are taking medication to treat chronic insomnia were found to suffer from moderate to severe sleep apnea.
Chronic Insomnia & Sleep Apnea Study
The study, which was conducted by the Sleep & Human Health Institute, examined 1,210 patients who regularly took sleep aides to fight severe insomnia. Of the patients studied, a shocking 91.3 percent were found to suffer from breathing-related sleep disorders like obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
While researchers admitted that the correlation between chronic insomnia and sleep apnea was extremely strong, they also stressed that not much is known about the relationship between the two debilitating sleep disorders – and that it remains unclear whether one disorder could directly cause the other. However, they did state that doctors should take this correlation into account when treating patients who have trouble getting to sleep or staying asleep. For example, a doctor treating a patient with severe, chronic insomnia may wish to order a sleep study for the patient and treat the patient’s sleep apnea if it is discovered.
How might sleep apnea cause insomnia? Medical professionals believe that the sufferer’s struggle to breathe paired with dangerous drops in oxygen levels cause a patient to wake up repeatedly, sometimes dozens of time in a single hour. It would be no surprise if some people have trouble getting back to sleep after some of these disruptions.
Fight Sleep Apnea & Its Many Related Health Issues
We understand that sleep apnea sufferers often also struggle with other health issues that may be related to their trouble breathing at night. We want you to know that treating your sleep apnea may help combat a number of other chronic problems, possibly including chronic insomnia, obesity, and high blood pressure. Learn more about your sleep apnea treatment options, or schedule a consultation at one of our three locations, by calling Surgical Sleep Solutions today: 855-560-7378.
Not sure if you have sleep apnea? We encourage you to take our online sleep apnea self-evaluation.
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