From the Guidelines
Sleep apnea affects multiple body systems, including the cardiovascular, endocrine, nervous, immune, digestive, and urinary systems, leading to a range of complications such as high blood pressure, arrhythmias, heart failure, stroke, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, daytime fatigue, cognitive impairment, mood disorders, and increased risk of accidents. The cardiovascular system is significantly impacted, as the repeated drops in oxygen levels and frequent awakenings strain the heart, potentially leading to high blood pressure, arrhythmias, heart failure, and increased risk of stroke 1. The endocrine system is affected through disruption of glucose metabolism, contributing to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. The nervous system suffers from sleep fragmentation, resulting in daytime fatigue, cognitive impairment, mood disorders, and increased risk of accidents. The immune system becomes compromised due to chronic inflammation triggered by intermittent hypoxia. The digestive system may experience acid reflux as negative pressure during breathing efforts can pull stomach contents upward. The urinary system often shows increased nighttime urination due to hormonal changes. These widespread effects occur because the repeated episodes of breathing cessation cause oxygen desaturation, carbon dioxide retention, stress hormone release, and sleep fragmentation, creating a cascade of physiological responses that affect virtually every organ system in the body.
Some of the key body systems affected by sleep apnea include:
- Cardiovascular system: high blood pressure, arrhythmias, heart failure, and increased risk of stroke 1
- Endocrine system: disruption of glucose metabolism, contributing to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes 1
- Nervous system: sleep fragmentation, resulting in daytime fatigue, cognitive impairment, mood disorders, and increased risk of accidents 1
- Immune system: chronic inflammation triggered by intermittent hypoxia 1
- Digestive system: acid reflux due to negative pressure during breathing efforts 1
- Urinary system: increased nighttime urination due to hormonal changes 1
The most recent and highest quality study, published in 2017, highlights the importance of recognizing and treating sleep apnea to improve quality of life, lower the rates of motor vehicle accidents, and reduce the risk of chronic health consequences 1. Therefore, it is essential to prioritize the diagnosis and treatment of sleep apnea to mitigate its effects on multiple body systems and improve overall health outcomes.
From the Research
Body Systems Affected by Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea affects multiple body systems, including:
- Cardiovascular system: Sleep apnea is associated with an increased risk of coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, cerebral vascular events, and cardiac dysrhythmias 2, 3, 4, 5
- Central nervous system: Sleep apnea can cause cognitive impairments, daytime sleepiness, irritability, forgetfulness, fatigue, and recurrent headaches 2, 3, 5, 6
- Immune system: Sleep deprivation due to sleep apnea can lead to the release of proinflammatory cytokines, which dysregulate the function of the immune system 6
- Endocrine system: Sleep apnea is associated with insulin resistance, obesity, and metabolic syndrome 5, 6
- Gastrointestinal system: Sleep disturbance can cause various gastrointestinal problems 6
- Muscular system: Sleep disturbance can cause reduced muscle glycogen concentration 6
Mechanisms and Consequences
The mechanisms underlying the effects of sleep apnea on these body systems include:
- Recurrent hypoxemia and hypercarbia 2
- Increased sympathetic nerve activity and decreased parasympathetic nerve activity 2
- Oxidative stress and vascular endothelial dysfunction 2
- Cardiac remodeling and cardiovascular disease 2
- Inflammation and immune system dysregulation 6
- Hormonal changes, such as increased cortisol and catecholamines 6
Treatment and Management
Treatment of sleep apnea, such as with continuous positive airway pressure, can help alleviate symptoms and improve outcomes 2, 3, 5, 6