Can Anxiety Cause Sleep Apnea Symptoms?

The lack of rest can lead to a lack of sleep, making it difficult for the brain to manage stress and worsening any existing anxiety disorder. This can make

sleep apnea

even more serious. The American Depression Association %26 also reports that stress and anxiety can cause sleep problems, such as sleep apnea. Mental health issues, such as depression, can disrupt sleep and may induce or worsen pre-existing sleep problems.

While there is debate on whether anxiety causes

sleep apnea

, the most common type, obstructive sleep apnea, is caused by physical relaxation of the throat or palate muscles and does not appear to be caused by anxiety. Many people with sleep apnea also have anxiety, which can make their symptoms worse. In turn, many people with anxiety have trouble falling asleep and staying asleep. Establishing a relaxing bedtime routine, following a consistent sleep schedule, and sleeping in a dark, cool room can help improve sleep quality.

It is important to get treatment for sleep apnea, anxiety, or both in order to start resting better during the night. Practicing good sleep hygiene habits and establishing a sleep routine can also help reduce sleep anxiety. People who worry chronically (those who are naturally more anxious and therefore more likely to develop a full-blown anxiety disorder) are highly vulnerable to the impact of lack of sleep. A study published in the Annals of Family Medicine found that sleep apnea seems to cause an increased risk of developing a panic disorder.

Compared to central sleep apnea, anxiety disorder is the body's response to physiological health problems, stress, etc. People with chronic insomnia are also at greater risk of developing sleep-related disorders, such as sleep apnea. Symptoms of sleep apnea include wheezing or choking from breathing, snoring, daytime sleepiness and fatigue, irritability, trouble concentrating, and trouble staying awake during the day. Treating any sleep apnea is essential for getting the required amount of rest and feeling better.

Reducing anxiety by consulting your doctor for any physical problems, eating healthily, and limiting your level of stress and concern in general can help improve your sleeping habits. Stress can cause trouble sleeping, and not getting enough sleep or having poor quality sleep can cause stress. The essence of sleep apnea is hidden in regular breathing pauses during sleep which imbalance airflow and therefore impair other body processes. The only definitive way to diagnose sleep apnea is through a sleep study, also known as polysomnography.