Depression seriously affects all areas of life. Those affected are often lacking in impetus, even the smallest effort like taking a shower or brushing their teeth can become almost insurmountable obstacles. Both professional and private life often suffer greatly from such a disease. Without the right treatment, those affected find it very difficult to come back to life.
Exactly how depression is triggered is still the subject of numerous studies. What is clear, however, is that in most cases there is an interaction of genetic and environmental factors that leads to triggering a depressive illness. However, new studies now show that in some cases, depression may have a previously little-known trigger: sleep apnea.
What is sleep apnea?
People suffering from sleep apnea experience intermittent breathing pauses at night due to complete obstruction or narrowing of the upper airways. As a result, very little oxygen enters the blood and sleep becomes restless or even completely interrupted. You feel tired, exhausted, and even prone to micro-sleep during the day.
Sleep apnea syndrome is by no means uncommon. A study from Lausanne even shows that almost 50 percent of all men and 23 percent of women surveyed experienced 15 or more breath pauses at bedtime. In the long run, sleep apnea can have serious consequences for the body and lead to complications such as impaired concentration and memory or cardiovascular disease.
sleep apnea and depression
New studies now show that sleep apnea can also lead to severe depression. For example, a Wisconsin study of 1,408 subjects concluded that worsening of sleep-disordered breathing over time in individuals without depression promoted the development of depression.
This may be because neurotransmitters in the brain, such as serotonin or noradrenaline, regulate our wakefulness and sleep state, among other things, but are also responsible for our mood. If disturbed sleep causes disturbances in nerve centers, this may cause depression.
How do I recognize sleep apnea?
Do you suspect you may be suffering from sleep apnea? Do you feel exhausted and sluggish even after getting enough hours of sleep? Maybe you are suffering from morning headaches and dry mouth, or your partner is already noticing loud snoring and breathing pauses. These are all indications that you may be suffering from sleep apnea.
The best thing to do is to have this checked with a Sleepiz sleep monitor as soon as possible. If you suffer from depression along with sleep apnea, you should seek professional help so that you can start living your life the way you want.