Symptom 3: Disturbed Sleep
Awakening multiple times through the night is a key symptom of CSA. At first glance, it might seem like mere restlessness or the occasional bad night. However, in CSA, these awakenings are the brain’s emergency response to the lack of breathing. And while they serve a life-preserving purpose, the repercussions on sleep quality are profound.
Picture a symphony with multiple instruments playing in harmony. A sudden blaring trumpet disrupts the melody, causing everything to momentarily halt. This is what CSA does to the sleep cycle. These abrupt disruptions prevent one from achieving deep, rejuvenating sleep.
Sleep isn’t just about the quantity of hours spent in bed but the quality of those hours. Each of these awakenings, even if they last for just a few seconds, can take a toll on the body’s ability to restore and rejuvenate. Over time, the cumulative impact of these interrupted nights can be detrimental to overall health.
While the sleeper may not remember these micro-awakenings, the body certainly does. It recalls each instance it was jolted awake, gasping for breath, and every time it couldn’t enter the restorative phases of the sleep cycle. This fragmented sleep then manifests as daytime sleepiness, reduced cognitive abilities, and mood disturbances.
Beyond the physical and cognitive impacts, there’s a psychological angle to consider. The unpredictability of when the next awakening might happen can lead to sleep anxiety. This heightened stress about sleep can ironically further reduce sleep quality, leading to a vicious cycle of sleep deprivation. (3)
