What Happens During a Sleep Apnea Episode? A Look Inside the Body

You may have heard of sleep apnea, but do you really know what happens to your body during a sleep apnea episode? It’s not just about snoring or feeling extra tired — it’s a serious condition that messes with your breathing all night long.

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that causes your breathing to pause every so often while you're asleep. These pauses in breathing trigger a whole series of reactions in your body, affecting everything from your heart to your brain. 

Over time, untreated sleep apnea can lead to high blood pressure, heart disease, and extreme fatigue.

Understanding how sleep apnea works is the first step in taking control of your sleep and general health.

Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of what happens to the body during a sleep apnea episode.

There are three main types of sleep apnea. Each type has a different trigger:

• Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is triggered by a blocked airway. This can happen when your throat’s soft tissue collapses or if your tongue slides backwards.

• Central Sleep Apnea (CSA) happens when your brain fails to send the proper signals to your breathing muscles. As such, you stop breathing for a few seconds. 

• Complex Sleep Apnea (CompSA) or Mixed Sleep Apnea can be triggered by either or both of the above triggers. 
  
  

No matter what triggers the episode, it starts with your body being unable to breathe properly. 

During an episode of sleep apnea, your body struggles to get enough air, which sets off a chain reaction of responses.

When you stop breathing, your blood oxygen levels drop quickly. Your brain notices right away and panics, sending an emergency wake-up signal to the rest of your body. 

When you stop breathing, there is a chain reaction that goes on inside your body.

Every time your breathing stops, your body realizes it’s in danger. It releases stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol, which are the same chemicals your body produces when you’re scared or stressed.

Over time, having these hormones constantly flooding your system can lead to bigger health problems, like high blood pressure and a higher risk of diabetes.

People with sleep apnea may wake up dozens of times an hour — even if they don’t realize it.

Because your body realizes you’ve stopped breathing, you’ll suddenly jolt awake to deal with the problem. This is why many people with sleep apnea wake up suddenly gasping for air, though they often don’t remember it.

Even if you don’t remember waking up, your sleep is still interrupted by these episodes.

This constant sleep interruption prevents the body from reaching the deep, restful sleep stages it needs to heal and recharge. Instead of waking up refreshed, people who experience sleep apnea episodes often feel exhausted, even after a full night in bed.

Because sleep apnea keeps activating the body’s alarm system, it makes it hard to truly relax. The next day, you might experience:

• Morning headaches 

• Daytime sleepiness 

• Irritability and mood swings  

• Brain fog and trouble concentrating  
  
  

When your body has an episode of sleep apnea, the problems go beyond just effects on your life, but other elements of your health. Sleep apnea is linked to increased risks of heart attacks, strokes, and other very serious issues.

You might be tempted to brush these episodes off as nothing to worry about, but that is far from the truth. Sleep apnea is a serious condition that requires treatment.

Not sure if you have sleep apnea? Watch out for these telltale signs and symptoms:

• Feeling tired all the time, even after sleeping all night

• Loud snoring with choking or gasping sounds

• Waking up frequently during the night

• Excessive daytime fatigue

• High blood pressure or heart problems with no clear cause

• Trouble focusing or remembering things
  
  

If you or someone you love has these symptoms, it might be time to get checked out. A doctor can help by recommending a sleep study. This is a test that tracks your breathing, oxygen levels, and sleep patterns overnight.

The good news is that sleep apnea is treatable. With the right treatments and lifestyle changes, you can improve your sleep — which will ultimately improve your quality of life and long-term health. 

Every sleep apnea episode puts stress on your body, from blocking your airway to lowering your oxygen levels and forcing you awake. Over time, this cycle can lead to major health problems like heart disease, diabetes, and memory issues.

But the good news is that sleep apnea is treatable. With the right diagnosis and treatment, you can improve your sleep, protect your health, and start feeling better every day.

If you or a loved one might have sleep apnea, don’t ignore it! Talk to a doctor, explore your treatment options, and take steps toward better sleep. A good night’s rest is one of the most important things you can do for your health and happiness.

The content in this article is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a licensed healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment options. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalized medical advice or concerns about snoring, sleep disorders, or related health issues.