No Surprise: Study Shows Those with Sleep Apnea are “Less Active During the Day”

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common kind of sleep apnea, and it occurs when the airway is blocked while asleep. It is one of the most common reasons patients come to The Insomnia and Sleep Institute of Arizona, where you do not need a referral for a consultation and treatment with a sleep specialist. Unlike central sleep apnea (CSA), which is caused by a “glitch” in the brain that disrupts healthy sleeping, OSA is strictly caused by tangible factors. Those who are overweight are more likely to develop OSA, since neck circumference and excess fat in this area can cause blockage, and adults are more likely to have OSA than children. However, anyone of any age may develop this dangerous condition.

One of the most common signs of OSA is snoring, but of course those who do not routinely share their bed with a partner might not be made aware of this. However, there are other common symptoms such as waking up gasping, excessive daytime sleepiness, and unwarranted fatigue. We are proud to set the standard in sleep medicine in Arizona, and as an outcome-driven facility your first consultation is with a sleep specialist who can diagnose sleep disorders. Here, you are in the good hands of the “Top Doc” in the area for the last six consecutive years. Dr. Ruchir P. Patel is triple board-certified and the Physician Director elected Board President of the Maricopa County Medical Society.

What OSA Means

According to a 2022 study presented at SLEEP, “frequent snorers and individuals with a high risk of obstructive sleep apnea are less active than those who don’t snore.” This is no surprise to sleep specialists, considering OSA can severely disrupt your sleep. If you do not get enough quality sleep, you are not going to have the energy you need during the day. Researchers looked at the link between “snoring frequency” and how many minutes a person is “sedentary.” They analyzed three years of data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Subjects reported on their sedentary activity as well as snoring frequency, and the authors created a scoring system to pinpoint those at the greatest risk of sleep apnea.

Of course, sleep disorders, including OSA, remain drastically under- and misdiagnosed around the globe. It is expected that most people who qualify to be diagnosed with OSA do not have a diagnosis. This is in part due to the fact that it can be difficult to tell if you have symptoms of OSA and the gatekeeping that is common within the medical community. In many cases, a referral from your GP is needed to see a sleep specialist—but that is not the case at The Insomnia and Sleep Institute.

The researchers adjusted their findings based on a myriad of factors such as sex and age. They discovered that “frequent snorers” had 36 more sedentary minutes in their day when compared to those who said they “never snored.” Those at the highest risk for sleep apnea actually had 44 more minutes per day. The authors explain “Sleep-related breathing issues like snoring and sleep apnea are very common in the population, but these issues don’t just affect (at) nighttime.” When someone has less energy and are tired during the day, that impacts everything else from stress to mood and how active they are.

Getting Help for OSA

The gold standard in managing OSA is CPAP therapy. Today, there are many choices when it comes to CPAP machines and accessories. Adherence to CPAP is critical, both for insurance coverage (as CPAP is covered by most major insurance plans when OSA is diagnosed) as well as results. If you don’t wear your CPAP every time you sleep or nap, it isn’t going to work. A major reason for not using CPAP routinely is poor fit. It is essential to work with your sleep specialist to find a CPAP approach that works for you and ensure that the accessories are a good fit.

In the rare case that CPAP therapy fails, you may be a good candidate for more invasive options like the Inspire implant. This implant is situated in the chest right below the skin’s surface and “forces” the airway to remain open while you sleep. However, in order to qualify for implants, you must have tried and failed at CPAP. The Insomnia and Sleep Institute is one of the few clinics that works with these implants, and Dr. Ruchir P. Patel regularly collaborates with and informs the makers of the Inspire implant. If you suspect you suffer from OSA, contact The Insomnia and Sleep Institute today for help. Give us a call, complete the online form, or start a chat now.