Smoking and Sleep Apnea: A Dangerous Relationship

In this day and age, it is common knowledge that smoking and using tobacco products is bad for your health. However, a number of studies have found that smoking and nicotine can be especially harmful to those who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). In this article, we will take a closer look at the relationship between smoking and sleep apnea as well as explain why smoking cigarettes and having sleep apnea is a dangerous pairing.

5 Ways Smoking Aggravates Sleep Apnea

A 2001 sleep apnea study found that current smokers were 2.5 times more likely to suffer from OSA than non-smokers, independent of age, sex, weight, and other lifestyle behaviors. Why do smokers suffer from sleep apnea at a much higher rate than non-smokers? Here are five big reasons.

• Smoking causes airway inflammation. Tobacco smoke can irritate your mouth, throat, and lungs, causing inflammation. This inflammation can make your airway smaller and make it more difficult to breathe.
• Nicotine stimulates upper airway muscles. Nicotine doesn't just stimulate your heart, it can also affect your airway muscles. Your contracted muscles can make regular breathing difficult.
• Nighttime nicotine withdrawal causes sleep disturbances. A 2008 study found that smokers are four times more likely to report feeling unrested – and that smokers spend significantly less time in deep sleep. Researchers believe that this is because smokers go through withdrawal at night. Sleep disturbances related to this withdrawal could exacerbate sleep apnea.
• Smoking contributes to overall health issues. Just like sleep apnea, smoking can affect almost all body systems. For example, smoking has been shown to affect the brain, lungs, heart, and immune system. These negative affects that smoking has on the body can in turn make a person's sleep apnea worse.

Sleep Apnea Can Also Lead To Nicotine Addiction

One interesting recent study regarding sleep apnea, published in 2012, also found that those with obstructive sleep apnea may be more susceptible nicotine addiction. Perhaps those with sleep apnea turn to tobacco and smoking to deal with feeling tired during the day or to deal with anxiety related to daytime fatigue.

Improve Your Sleep Apnea By Quitting Smoking

Putting away your cigarette can improve many aspects of your health -- and it may well help your obstructive sleep apnea symptoms. If you are looking for yet another reason to quit, you should know that those who stop smoking sleep more restfully, wake less often, and suffer from insomnia less frequently. However, it is also important to note that sleep apnea is not often cured by stopping smoking – it is only made milder. To truly get full treatment for your sleep apnea, it is vital to speak to your doctor and find a plan that fits your lifestyle and needs.

Are you unsure if you suffer from sleep apnea? Fill out our questionnaire below to see if you are at high or low risk of suffering from obstructive sleep apnea.

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