Sleep apnea: symptoms, risks and treatments to improve quality of rest -

It is one of the most common and underestimated disorders.They affect the quality of rest and may increase the risk of mental health problems and cardiovascular diseases, according to experts and recent studies.

World Sleep Day invites us every year to reflect on the importance of a good rest.This 2026, the chosen motto is "Sleep well, live better", remember that sleep is not a waste of time, but an important physiological need for memory, immunity and cellular recovery.

"Sleep and rest are not synonymous, and we need to expand this paradigm to recharge," Eric Zhou, an associate professor at Harvard School of Medicine, said in an article in Harvard Health Publishing.

The expert added: "Many of us think of rest in terms of physical rest. Sleep is a part of physical rest and has a very important restorative function, but this does not take into account other areas where a person is deficient."

Dr. Facundo Nogueira, director of the Sleep Laboratory of the Hospital de Clínicas (MN 84970), explained in a previous note that good sleep does not only mean getting the necessary hours, but also "good quality sleep, in which the different phases are carried out in a progressive and orderly way, so that the architecture or structure of sleep is sufficient".

What is in sleep apnea?

Fulani explains that sleep apnea represents one of the most under-appreciated health conditions and at the same time is very damaging to overall health.

One of the most common sleep disorders is sleep apnea, as described in a previous communication by Dr. Daniel Pérez Chada (MN 47.085), President of the Argentine Sleep Foundation, Consultant Pulmonary Service and Director of the Sleep Clinic of the Austral University Hospital, has been identified.

This problem, experts note, is characterized by repeated episodes of partial or complete collapse of the upper airways during nighttime rest.As a result, patients suffer from micro-awakening and reduced oxygen levels.

Sleep interrupted by apnea may go unnoticed by the affected person.However, the main symptoms include loud snoring, a feeling of suffocation and frequent awakenings, in addition to the need to urinate several times a night.

A Canadian study published in JAMA Network Open by the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute and the University of Ottawa found that adults aged 45 to 85 at high risk for obstructive sleep apnea were up to 40% more likely to experience mental health problems.

The study used data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging, which allowed us to examine the relationship between breathing disorders during sleep and the onset or persistence of depression and anxiety in middle-aged and older adults.

In the morning, there are often headaches, dry mouth, drowsiness and concentration difficulties.It is often family members who notice pauses in breathing and encourage you to consult a doctor.

El impacto de las apneas va más allá del cansancio. Según distintos estudios se ha comprobado que quienes no reciben tratamiento tienen 2,36 veces más probabilidades de sufrir accidentes automovilísticos. Además, las apneas pueden causar alteraciones en la memoria, cefaleas y cambios de humor.

How is sleep apnea treated?

Special studies are carried out to confirm the diagnosis."The study that we have used for decades is polysomnography, which analyzes the different levels of sleep and the cardiorespiratory activity in this stage of sleep. But in recent years, respiratory polygraphy has taken place. It is a study that, unlike polysomnography, which measures electroencephalographic activity, only tries to measure respiratory flow. Oximetry and heart rate," explained Pérez Chada.

The diagnosis of sleep apnea must be made by a specialist.The approach is always individual and includes everything from recommendations such as losing weight and improving sleep hygiene to the use of devices such as CPAP, mandibular advancement devices, myofunctional therapy or, in selected cases, surgery.

Meanwhile, doctor Cecilia Berrozpe from the Fleni Sleep Medicine Unit warns about the worst case scenario: "Irregular sleep affects sleep quality and poses a cardiovascular risk, as it is associated with arrhythmias, high blood pressure, heart attacks and strokes."

Berrozpe also emphasizes the importance of routine: it is important to "allocate the necessary hours to sleep according to age and maintain good health sleep".

Sleep is a dynamic process that enables metabolic and neuronal activity.It is not only about quantity, but also about quality.A restful rest can make the difference in preventing serious diseases and improving quality of life.

Recognizing the symptoms, timely consultation and implementation of the indicated treatment are basic steps in taking care of your health and well-being on a daily basis, according to experts.